Lead actor's' relative freedom continues

[Yap Yok Foo]

From SCMP
10th Nov 1998

Lead actor's' relative freedom continues

Show of support: Anwar Ibrahim waves to supporters outside Kuala
Lumpur's High Court yesterday. Associated Press photo

IAN STEWART in Kuala Lumpur
Anwar Ibrahim entered court yesterday for the second week of his trial
on four corruption charges to the kind of acknowledgement a lead actor
receives when coming on stage.

Members of the press and public stood up to get a better look at him
while his family and friends pressed forward to be hugged or shake his
hand. Anwar jokingly suggested to local journalists they wear the
white ribbon that has become the symbol of his reform movement and is
being sported by his legal team and family. He said they could take
them off when they got back to their offices.

It has been that way since the trial started a week ago, with court
officers and his police minders mere onlookers most of the time as the
former deputy prime minister chats with his wife or daughters and
consults his lawyers before entering the dock.

But yesterday, reporters were watching to see if there was any change
in his relative freedom of action in the courtroom, following a
carping article with the whiff of authority in the Sunday edition of
the Sun newspaper, which said Anwar was "receiving special treatment"
and breaching the rules on speaking to family and the press.

"Apart from the freedom to speak to the press, there are no handcuffs,
which are normal for criminal hearings," the article said.

Quoting "a legal source", the article said Anwar should not be treated
differently even if he was a datuk (the Malaysian equivalent of a
knight).

The article said Anwar's treatment, which was no different yesterday,
could be interpreted as "a denial of the rights of all individuals to
equal treatment under the constitution and the International Human
Rights Convention".

It said the action of the foreign press in rising when Anwar entered
the courtroom raised questions about how "fair and objective" they
could be - distorting the reflex action of journalists merely wishing
to see what is going on.
http://www.scmp.com/news

[Yap Yok Foo]

From SCMP
10th Nov 1998

Anwar 'lost copy of report'

IAN STEWART in Kuala Lumpur

Anwar Ibrahim had seen a copy of a report that allegedly shows cabinet
ministers conspired against him, his lawyers said yesterday.

The claim came after police insisted there was no such report.

The defence last week asked for the document to be produced after the
prosecution made available a letter from the head of the Special
Branch to Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.

The August 1997 letter reported that investigations showed allegations
of sexual misconduct by the former deputy premier were baseless and
fabricated by a group working behind the scenes to smear Anwar.

Anwar is accused of using his influence improperly to have the
allegations retracted by the two people who made them.

Defence lawyer Christopher Fernando said Anwar had received a copy of
a second report - which had also been sent to Dr Mahathir - naming
Daim Zainuddin, Minister of Special Functions, and Megat Junid Ayob,
who at the time was deputy home minister and now has cabinet rank,
among others.

Anwar had lost his copy of the report, he said.

Initially, the retiring Special Branch chief, Mohamed Said Awang, told
Mr Fernando he might have mentioned the names in a report.

Later, after being shown a copy of his letter informing Dr Mahathir of
a plot to smear Anwar, he said he did not think there was another
report.

Yesterday, after the prosecution said it had been told by the Special
Branch that such a report did not exist, Mr Said said he was quite
certain there was no second document.

Mr Fernando told the court Anwar was certain of the report's existence
and knew its contents. He said the defence would continue to try to
find it.

The second police witness called by the prosecution, Abdul Aziz
Hussein, told the court yesterday he had been shown one of the two
letters containing sexual allegations about Anwar.

The letter said Anwar had homosexual tendencies but had also had
illicit sex with the wife of his then private secretary.

Mr Aziz said the letter also alleged that Anwar's homosexual partner
was his former driver, Azizan Abu Bakar. The letter, written by Ummi
Hafilda Ali, the sister of the private secretary, was read to the
court.

The defence read from a letter from Ms Ummi in which she retracted her
allegations.

She wrote that the allegations - which she said Mr Daim had advised
her to report - were based largely on "imagination and assumption".

Anwar lawyer Gurbachan Singh asked Mr Said whether the retraction
letter had pointed to a possible "frame-up". "Yes, there is a sentence
to that effect," Mr Said replied.

The trial continues.
http://www.scmp.com/news

[Yap Yok Foo]

From The Australian
10th Nov 1998

Crucial Anwar evidence still missing
By IAN STEWART in Kuala Lumpur

A REPORT said to contain the names of two Cabinet ministers, which the
defence says is crucial to its case in the trial of Anwar Ibrahim, was
still missing yesterday after the police Special Branch said it could
not be found.

The defence asked last week for the report to be produced after the
prosecution handed over a letter to Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad
stating that investigations had shown allegations of sexual misconduct
by Anwar were baseless and part of a move against the former deputy
premier.

At the start of the second week of the Anwar trial, scores of
Malaysians, rights activists and diplomats began queuing before
sunrise to secure a place in the public gallery of the courtroom.

Anwar, 51, on trial on four of 10 charges of corruption and sodomy,
brought since his sacking in September, maintains he is a victim of a
high-level conspiracy. Anwar is being tried on charges of using his
influence improperly to have the sexual misconduct allegations

retracted by the two people who made them.

In a report to Dr Mahathir in August last year, Special Branch chief
Mohamed Said Awang dismissed the charges as baseless and part of a
smear campaign.

But his report did not contain the names of those alleged to have led
the conspiracy and the defence has requested that another report,
purportedly written in September, be produced as evidence to the
court.

Defence lawyer Christopher Fernando said Anwar had received a copy of

the mystery second report – which had also been sent to Dr Mahathir –
naming Daim Zainuddin, the Prime Minister's close friend and Minister

of Special Functions, and Megat Junid Ayob, who at the time was deputy

home minister and now has Cabinet rank, among others. He said Anwar
had since lost his copy.

Yesterday, after the prosecution said it had been informed by the
Special Branch it had no record of the second report's existence, Mr
Said said he was now quite certain there was no such document. Mr
Fernando told the court that Anwar "was certain" of the report's

existence and knew its contents. He said the defence would continue

its efforts to find the document.

Mr Said was asked by the head of the prosecution team, Abdul Gani
Patail, about his statement last week that he "may or may not lie in
court" if instructed to do so by someone with a higher rank than the
deputy prime minister. In reply to a question by Mr Patail, he said he
had not been approached or asked by anyone to lie in the Anwar case,
or to "testify to other than the truth".

He denied a suggestion by Mr Fernando that he had an inclination to
lie.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/

[Yap Yok Foo]

From ST Singapore
10th Nov 1998

CID 'should have handled Anwar case'
---------------------------------------------------------
The retiring Special Branch chief also says he had killed the probe
after Mahathir named Anwar as successor

By BRENDAN PEREIRA IN KUALA LUMPUR

THE trial of Anwar Ibrahim entered its second week yesterday with the
prosecution re-examining its main witness to boost his credibility and
paint the Special Branch probe into sexual allegations against the
former deputy prime minister as anything but normal.

Outgoing Special Branch chief Datuk Mohamed Said Awang, who had faced
some tough questioning by defence counsel last week, told the High
Court that he had not lied in court while giving evidence, nor had he
been asked by anyone to do so.

"I am reliable and my evidence can be accepted," he said.

Under cross-examination last week, he had said that he might lie in
court if asked by someone higher than the deputy prime minister.

He also said that under normal circumstances, the Criminal
Investigation Department should have handled the probe into a letter
which charged that Anwar had allegedly sodomised his former driver and
was having an affair with an aide's wife.

But because of directions from Anwar, the Special Branch arrested the
two letter writers, turned them over and obtained retractions from
them, despite his own belief that there was basis to the accusations.

Answering questions from lead prosecutor Datuk Gani Patail, he told
the court that investigations into the case were not completed.

He called a halt to it in August last year after Prime Minister Dr
Mahathir Mohamad said in a public statement that the matter was closed
and that Anwar was his successor.

"I respect the statement made by the PM that the accused was going to
succeed him as the PM," he said.

His testimony on Day 6 of the trial went to the heart of the four
charges of corrupt practices that Anwar faces -- using his position in
government to direct police to investigate and obtain retractions from
Miss Ummi Hafilda Ali and Mr Azizan Abu Bakar, writers of the
widely-circulated letter.

On a day in which the defence objected vehemently to the asking of
leading questions -- questions which suggest the answers -- the court
was also told of the non-existence of a second police report which
allegedly names Special Functions Minister Tun Daim Zainuddin and
several other politicians as being part of a plot to topple Anwar.

The defence insists it exists and has vowed to produce it.

The day also saw a second prosecution witness, DSP Abdul Aziz Hussein,
take the stand.

The Special Branch interrogator is scheduled to tell the court today
how retractions were obtained from the letter writers.

But for most of yesterday, the spotlight fell on Datuk Mohamed Said, a
police veteran of 30 years.

He was asked to comment on the nature of the investigation in August
last year.

He said that it was unusual in a few aspects.

Firstly, the type of case was normally handled by the CID.

Also, no caution was administered to the two letter writers before
they were interrogated.

It was also the first time that anyone had asked him to obtain a
retraction of a statement made.

Hearing continues today.
http://straitstimes.asia1.com/pages/one1.html
>

[Yap Yok Foo]

From Time Magazine
10th Nov 1998

Whose Trial?
Anwar is in the courtroom, but Mahathir and his political legacy are
also in the dock. The Prime Minister faces the toughest battle of his
life By ANTHONY SPAETH

Anwar Ibrahim sits in an old-fashioned, wooden-doweled dock in the
Kuala Lumpur courthouse where his fate will be determined. The former
Deputy Prime Minister says his health is fine, though he has clearly
lost weight. There is no sign of the black eye he received in jail, or
the neck brace he wore during an arraignment last month. The charges
against him, which could send him to jail for decades, fall into two
categories: five relate to sexual acts, the details of which have been
lubriciously related in local newspapers. The other five accuse Anwar
of "corrupt practices"--the second most powerful man in the country
allegedly instructed the police to pressure into silence two people
accusing him of sexual misdeeds.

His former boss, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, hasn't ventured near
the courthouse. But he too is in the dock, figuratively speaking,
along with the entire Mahathir Era: a 17-year reign of impressive
ambitions and achievements, along with some awkward political
compromises. Mahathir is an assertive leader of a very Southeast Asian
sort: enlightened in his goals of economic development, dependent on
party politics and elections for power--and resolute in his control of
other democratic institutions, such as the media and judiciary. For
nearly all of his years in power, Mahathir's toughness earned him the
admiration of his people.

And then comes that unique moment, which no one can ever quite
foresee, when the people change their minds. For Indonesia's Suharto,
the triggers were high rice prices and riots provoked by his soldiers
in the capital. For Ferdinand Marcos of the Philippines, it was the
body of murdered rival Benigno Aquino splayed on an airport tarmac.
Mahathir, 72, perceived his once-trusted deputy and heir apparent as a
challenger to power. What followed could well turn out to be
Mahathir's turning point. He accused Anwar of promiscuity with women
and, more shockingly in largely Islamic Malaysia, with men. He fired
him, personally questioned the alleged sex partners and then informed
Malaysians, through a compliant press, that he was satisfied of
Anwar's guilt. The Prime Minister became investigator, prosecutor,
assignment editor and judge. When Anwar was hauled from a police van
in late September with a black eye, Malaysians reacted as if the
entire country had been sucker-punched.

Anwar now has a daily court appointment before a judge who could
sentence him to 14 years in jail for any of the first four charges
being tried. But Mahathir is facing a bigger and more important
jury--a public that appears to be growing weary of his I-know-best
rule. Last week Anwar declared himself the chief witness, and a
decidedly hostile one, in that public "trial." He accused Mahathir of
feathering his own nest--an ornate official residence is being built
at the cost, according to Anwar, of $53 million--and those of his
cronies. In a diary written in prison and posted last week on the
Internet, Anwar alleged top-level corruption, naming names and
detailing amounts. He characterized Mahathir as megalomaniacal,
paranoid, isolated, a "grumpy" old man who views his people with
contempt. His ambition, according to Anwar, has been to "install
himself as the supreme feudal lord of the Malays."

A potentially more potent challenge to the Prime Minister is coming
from below. Customarily compliant Malaysians from all locales and
classes are risking arrest and possible job loss for the satisfaction
of standing on a pavement, en masse, calling for Mahathir's
resignation and for reformasi, an overhaul of Malaysia's political
system. Few would have dared mount such protests, or even conceived of
the need, a few months back. Pro-Anwar rallies have drawn tens of
thousands of people. The Internet has helped encourage skepticism, as
several websites dispute the sex charges against Anwar. The Prime
Minister's personal pollster reportedly told the boss that his
approval rating has plunged 70% among Malays, the country's majority
ethnic group. Says an official in the Prime Minister's department:
"Only a few civil servants still support him."

Journalists are calling the Anwar affair Malaysia's Trial of the
Century, but that increasingly sounds like an understatement. The
beating Anwar suffered in prison may have cost the 51-year-old up to
40% of his total hearing, according to his physicians. But it seems to
have opened the ears, eyes and mouths of millions of Malaysians.
Anwar's trial is the focal point of what threatens to become a
political revolution for the country--and possibly more. According to
Rustam Sani, a respected newspaper columnist who was dismissed from
his job last month for writing articles perceived to be critical of
the government: "What we are seeing is a cultural transformation."

The trial's first week was at once dramatic, farcical and ominous. On
Day One, journalists staked out the courthouse before sunrise, joined
by representatives of foreign embassies and concerned nongovernmental
organizations. Surrounding intersections were protected by hundreds of
police armed with tear gas and M-16 assault rifles. Anwar supporters
were forewarned of trouble by Kuala Lumpur's police chief, and only
small clutches showed up. Within the court, some 20 family members
were on hand to greet Anwar and feed him chocolates and biscuits. At
the start of the proceedings, attorneys and presiding judge Augustine
Paul struggled to conduct the proceedings in Bahasa Malaysia, hewing
to an insistent courtroom sign: use the national language. Paul
refused to give official observer status to representatives of
human-rights groups, saying the request was an insult to his court.

The initial prosecution witness was Mohamed Said Awang, outgoing
director of the police department's Special Branch and the country's
top intelligence official. He testified that Anwar's sexual conduct
was first investigated in 1992 in an operation code-named "Solid
Grip," and that Anwar asked him to get two people to recant statements
accusing him of several sexual affairs. Within the Malaysian police,
Mohamed testified, this type of job is called a "turning over"
operation. He was asked to describe the procedure. "My Lord,"
testified Mohamed Said, "this is a Special Branch secret. It is a
trade secret."

But then, in an admission that was potentially damaging to the
prosecution's case, Mohamed Said also admitted that he had reported to
Mahathir in 1997 that the charges against Anwar were baseless, "made
on mere belief and suspicion," and possibly "encouraged" by a group
with its own agenda. When asked if he would lie under oath if
commanded by someone senior to the Deputy Prime Minister--meaning
Mahathir--Mohamed Said gave the startling reply: "Depends on the
situation... I may or I may not."

The testimony provided an unexpected peek into the workings of
Mahathir's Malaysia. And it suggested further drama to come in this
trial, which could last more than six months, and the subsequent
hearing of the remaining six charges. (In addition, Malaysia's
Attorney General announced late last month that a raft of other
charges will be filed against Anwar.) The legal outcome is important
for Anwar's future. A single conviction could get him time in jail and
legally exclude him from politics for five years. The trials could
extend into the next millennium, disqualifying him for a candidacy in
the general election that must be held by April 2000. Apart from
complete acquittal, Anwar's only hope would be a pardon from
Malaysia's constitutional monarch.

While Anwar faces humiliation within the courthouse, Mahathir faces,
at the very least, acute embarrassment outside. Next week, Mahathir
will host the annual summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
forum, playing host to, among others, Bill Clinton, Japanese Prime
Minister Keizo Obuchi and squads of premiers and presidents, foreign
and finance ministers. The APEC meeting should have been Mahathir's
shining moment on the global stage: instead, he'll have trouble
finding world leaders willing to step into the spotlight with him.
Clinton and others have already canceled bilateral meetings with
Mahathir, a traditional courtesy. Presidents Joseph Estrada of the
Philippines and B.J. Habibie of Indonesia planned mere day-trips to
Kuala Lumpur, although Estrada later backed down and said he will stay
longer. Some 300 non-governmental organizations are threatening
protests. Anwar's domestic supporters captured headlines worldwide on
Sept. 20 by holding rallies during Queen Elizabeth's visit to Kuala
Lumpur to close the Commonwealth Games. APEC will provide the next
excuse for a major rally.

A longtime political insider, Anwar is no saint. But many Malaysians
are concerned about his fate. "It's no longer a question of whether
Anwar has done something wrong or not," says Chandra Muzaffar, a
University of Malaya political scientist. "That's for the courts to
decide. What the people cannot accept is the way that Mahathir has
handled this matter from the beginning." (And state pressure isn't
easing up. A Kuala Lumpur housewife invited pro-reform academics and
opposition leaders to her house for a dinner discussion two weeks ago.
Her hospitality was disrupted by a hovering police helicopter that
shined flood lights onto her lawn.) Sales of Harakah, a pro-Islamic
newspaper published twice weekly, have gone from 65,000 to almost
300,000 in six weeks, even though the tabloid can legally be purchased
only by members of the opposition Islamic Party of Malaysia.
(Applications to join the party have exploded.) "We publish what the
mainstream newspapers do not," says editor Zulkifli Sulong, "like
Anwar's side."

Even stalwarts of Mahathir's United Malays National Organization
(UMNO) concede that they are in trouble with voters. "We must not
underestimate the problem we have," says Minister for Education Najib
Abdul Razak. "The bigger challenge for us is to win back the hearts
and minds of the masses."

What's especially surprising is the extent to which Mahathir has
misplayed his hand throughout the crisis. He insisted that Anwar's
dismissal wasn't a political ploy, but rather a legal necessity in
view of his alleged sexual misdeeds. But then the government detained
17 Anwar supporters under the Internal Security Act, and UMNO is now
in the process of expelling Anwar's allies within the party, prompting
Malaysians to view the case as essentially political. On Sept. 20,
unknown assailants beat Anwar nearly unconscious 10 minutes after his
arrival at the Bukit Aman lockup in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.
According to Anwar's prison diary, he was blindfolded and handcuffed.
"I was severely beaten on the right side of the head, the left part of
the forehead, the left eye and the neck. Blood oozed from my nose and
mouth." Instead of condemning the beating, Mahathir contributed to the
furor by observing that Anwar's injuries may have been self-inflicted.

Anwar's supporters, meanwhile, were plotting a campaign to keep their
patron and hero from tumbling into political irrelevance during his
incarceration. "The whole plan has been to isolate Mahathir from the
party and the society," says Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, the former
deputy head of the influential UMNO youth wing, "until there is only
him and the police." Saifuddin and three other chieftains are in exile
to evade arrest warrants, but they are on the phone daily to Kuala
Lumpur and are traveling widely throughout Southeast Asia to rally
support.

The group's initial objective was to portray Anwar's sacking as a
political clash and not a simple legal case. After his firing, but
before his arrest, Anwar lobbied UMNO members of parliament, giving
his side of the story. Then the rallies picked up steam; Anwar
broadened his message to call for reformasi and, finally, for
Mahathir's resignation. Simultaneously, he tried to build bridges with
parties other than UMNO, and he shared a stage in Malacca state with
Lim Kit Siang, president of the Democratic Action Party, which draws
support from the Chinese-Malaysian community. The next step was to
hold a massive rally during Queen Elizabeth's visit. "We wanted to
capitalize on the Commonwealth Games," says Khalid Jaafar, Anwar's
former press secretary, "and we knew Mahathir would crack down." Such
a reaction was deemed vital to energize two important social groups,
students and ordinary citizens. The police played into the plan: some
300 pro-reform protesters have been arrested in Kuala Lumpur,
including 20 last month whose infraction was the possession of
pro-Anwar posters. All along, Anwar's underground team was lobbying
internationally, starting with Southeast Asian governments. "We didn't
want Mahathir to be able to say that this was a Western plot," says
Khalid.

The reform effort now appears to be growing on its own. Three
overlapping grassroots opposition groups are demanding the repeal of
the Internal Security Act, greater civil and political liberties and
wider press freedom: the Malaysian People's Justice Movement, or
Gerak; the Coalition for People's Democracy, known as Gagasan; and the
looser, more spontaneous reformasi movement, which has been taking to
the streets of Kuala Lumpur virtually every weekend. "We don't know
who is behind reformasi," says Khalid. "We call it the hidden hand."
Observes a political analyst in Singapore: "This incredible momentum
for Anwar indicates that his support is stronger and deeper than
anyone thought."

Anwar, a one-time Islamic firebrand who was jailed in the 1970s for
organizing anti-government protests, retains a following among the
Malay masses. "The country is being ruined," says a Malay businessman
from Malaysia's eastern coast, who is also an UMNO member. "Our Prime
Minister is too arrogant. Now he is living in fear." Agrees Zainal, a
clerk in a Kuala Lumpur accounting firm: "He will do anything to get
what he wants. His way is dictatorship." UMNO leaders recognize their
slipping support among Malays, and Mahathir has tried buttressing his
support within the Chinese-Malaysian community, which comprises 27% of
the population. More pugnaciously, he asked the National Security
Council, police and regional political leaders to study Anwar's 1996
book The Asian Renaissance--to better know the thinking of his
ally-turned-antagonist.

Of course, Mahathir is himself a legendary political survivor, usually
at his best when trapped in a corner. His control over UMNO remains
strong--a lesser leadership challenge in 1987 actually split the
party. Many Malaysian analysts say the Prime Minister can probably
hold onto power if the economy takes a sudden turn for the better and
the trial credibly convicts Anwar on at least some of the charges.
Coalitions of opposition parties in Malaysia have always been fragile,
and UMNO is a well-greased political machine.

But Anwar's challenge is like none Malaysia has seen before. "In every
town and village," predicts former press secretary Khalid, "there will
be pictures of Anwar, waving, with a black eye." Anwar's closest
supporters will also seek to focus public attention on his charges of
cronyism against the Prime Minister. Mahathir has approved massive
bailouts for companies affected by the Asian financial crisis, many of
them controlled by political associates and, in a notable case, his
son Mirzan. The Prime Minister defends such moves as necessary to
prevent further economic collapse and widespread unemployment. Anwar
has labeled such rescue packages as tantamount to corruption. His jail
diary hurls specific accusations, and Malaysians were busy downloading
it from the Internet all weekend. And that's just the start. One
company being propped up is Perwaja Steel, with a loan of more than $1
billion. The independent auditor's final report on Perwaja hit Anwar's
desk only days before he was sacked. That document is now hidden away
in a safe in Singapore. Anwar's supporters say there are at least
three other boxes of interesting documents waiting to see the light of
day.

For his part, Mahathir shows no signs of letting up. With
characteristic vigor, he continues to defend his government's economic
policies and denounce his critics. He recently informed President
Estrada of the Philippines that he could not visit Anwar in jail next
week because such a move might "intimidate" the trial judge. Two years
ago, TIME asked Mahathir how he hoped to be remembered by history. His
answer was oddly caustic, especially for those happier days. "What can
we say about the future?" the Prime Minister asked. "You are not
around to refute what they say, and they will say all kinds of nasty
things about you." Or maybe it was prescient: for Mahathir of
Malaysia, the future is now.

Reported by John Colmey and David Liebhold/Kuala Lumpur, Nelly
Sindayen/Manila and Ravi Velloor/Singapore
http://cgi.pathfinder.com/time/asia/magazine/

[Yap Yok Foo]

From Singapore ST
10th Nov 1998

Rough time for Special Branch chief on the stand

Outgoing Special Branch chief Datuk Mohamed Said Awang finished giving
his evidence yesterday, after 5-1/2 days on the stand. It was anything
but smooth as the prosecution and the defence disagreed on the type of
questions being asked. BRENDAN PEREIRA of the Foreign Desk reports on
the highlights.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A LEADING QUESTION

Objections were the order of the day yesterday as the prosecution
sought to reassert the main point of their case: That former Deputy
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had directed the Special Branch (SB) to
retract statements from two people who alleged that he was guilty of
sexual misconduct.

Prosecutor Datuk Abdul Gani Patail incurred the wrath of the defence
for asking leading questions.

He asked Datuk Mohamed Said if his report to the Prime Minister was
"prepared based solely on Special Branch investigations".

Before the witness could answer, defence lawyer Christopher Fernando
interjected: "This is classic example of putting words into the
witness' mouth."

The prosecutor rephrased his question and moved on.

Datuk Gani Patail wanted to know if "there was any investigation by
the Special Branch to ascertain the truth" in the letter which alleged
Anwar's misconduct.

The defence objected and Justice Augustine Paul told the prosecution
to watch its step.

Mr Fernando also accused the prosecution of trying to expand the ambit
of their case by asking the witness questions on evidence that was not
brought up either in their first examination of him or during
cross-examination.

He was particularly irked when the prosecution asked the witness why
he proposed to the Prime Minister in a report that the investigation
into the case be dropped.

"I am objecting again. This is yet another attempt to go outside the
ambit of the evidence," said Mr Fernando.

The judge noted that the report was introduced by the defence, adding
that prosecution should be allowed to ask questions on it.

Mr Fernando replied: "This is unfair prosecution."

SOURCES

In his report to the Prime Minister, Datuk Mohamed Said said that
Special Branch investigations through "other sources" also showed that
the allegations against Anwar were without proof and were
"deliberately created".

He was asked to shed some light on these sources by the prosecution.

The witness said: "I don't think I can reveal my sources. They are
live sources."

The judge observed: "Of course, you can't get any information from
dead people."

Smiling, the witness replied: "They are human beings, my lord."

INCLINATION TO LIE

The outgoing SB chief was asked a series of questions to establish his
credentials as a credible witness.

The prosecutor: "Do you know you are expected to tell only the truth
in court ?"

The witness: "I know that."

The prosecutor: "Did anyone before the start of the trial, ask you to
lie ?"

The witness: "No."

The prosecutor: "Did you lie while giving evidence in this court ?"

The witness: "I have not lied."

Mr Fernando: "You admitted that you may lie if asked but said it
depended on the circumstances. I put it to you that you have an
inclination to lie."

The witness: "I don't have the inclination to lie. I didn't lie over
this case in court."
http://straitstimes.asia1.com/pages/mal16_1110.html

[Yap Yok Foo]

From Time Magazine
10th Nov 1998

Who Will Take Anwar's Seat?

NAJIB ABDUL RAZAK, 45. The first vice president of the ruling United
Malays National Organization (UMNO) is the popular choice to replace
Anwar, having won by a landslide in 1996 party elections. The
British-educated son of Malaysia's second Prime Minister has served
since 1995 as a respected Education Minister. He led efforts to
increase English study to help give Malaysia a stronger international
voice. Najib initially sided against Prime Minister Mahathir in a 1987
party coup but switched at the last minute. He had hoped to become
Anwar's deputy and is now hedging on the political crisis. But he has
no shortage of ambition and plenty of time. Does he want the job? "The
post is vacant," says Najib.

ABDULLAH AHMAD BADAWI, 59. The Foreign Minister, known alternatively
as "Mr. Clean" and "Mr. Nice Guy," is openly running for Anwar's
former job. He championed the effort to bring Burma into the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and now leads the fight to
maintain the group's "consensus." The former student leader and
long-time civil servant was eclipsed by Anwar, and the two have long
been enemies. Now UMNO's second vice president, Abdullah sided against
Mahathir in the 1987 fight but is now a loyalist. With solid but
unremarkable party backing, Abdullah is a strong choice should
Mahathir want to become senior minister and still run the show.

TENGKU RAZALEIGH HAMZAH, 61. The ultimate survivor. The former Finance
Minister and Petronas chairman narrowly lost a 1987 bid to unseat
Mahathir. He formed a new party and ran a good race against umno in
1990. Razaleigh once called Mahathir a "dictator" and has said that
funds for megaprojects would be better spent on schools. Mahathir's
decision to bring him back to UMNO in 1996 may have been the beginning
of Anwar's fall. A John F. Kennedy fan, Razaleigh's study is a replica
of the Oval Office. While Razaleigh is not a close friend of the Prime
Minister's, Mahathir can trust him. Watch this dark horse.

DAIM ZAINUDDIN, 60. If there is a secret in Malaysia, he knows it. If
there is a proxy behind a Malaysian corporation, Daim probably put him
there. A brilliant financial and legal mind, the former Finance
Minister is Mahathir's alter ego. He led Malaysia out of the 1986-87
recession and is an influential senior economic adviser. He predicted
the Asian collapse in January 1997. Daim is thought to be the Prime
Minister's top choice to replace Anwar. But he may not want the job.
"I'm not interested," Daim says.
http://cgi.pathfinder.com/time/asia/magazine/

[Yap Yok Foo]

From Time Magazine
10th Nov 1998

Malaysia's Chinese May Hold the Key to Mahathir's Fate
By DAVID LIEBHOLD Kuala Lumpur

Whenever a Southeast Asian country is shaken by social or political
turmoil, it's only a matter of time before the question comes up: What
will the Chinese do? Ethnic Chinese may be a minority in the region,
but their huge economic clout makes them the focus of attention--and
often, anger--in times of trouble. And so it is in Malaysia, where
that question is evidently being asked by the Prime Minister himself.

On Oct. 28, Mahathir summoned the editors of five Chinese newspapers
and chided them for giving excessive coverage to Anwar's supporters
and the reformasi movement. According to editors present, Mahathir
warned that their actions could harm the social fabric of the country.
"I worry that the power of UMNO will be weakened and the moderate
political parties will be swept away," he said. No other party, he
added, was capable of "taking overall control to maintain racial
harmony."

Whether or not disharmony is likely, Mahathir is right to worry. With
the Malay community, his traditional vote-bank, sharply divided over
the Anwar affair, Mahathir's political survival may depend on the
Chinese. Since they make up 27% of the population, the Chinese pack a
political wallop. "When the Malays are split, they can decide," says
UMNO insider Ahmad Syabery. In 1969 Chinese voted en masse for the
opposition, almost throwing UMNO out of power and setting the scene
for vicious race riots.

The bitter memory of that unrest (rekindled recently by events in
Indonesia) may explain why Malaysia's Chinese have been keeping a low
profile. But UMNO can't take their support for granted. Some Chinese
did show up at Anwar's house after his dismissal and at the big street
demonstration on the day of his arrest. Besides, Mahathir isn't the
only politician eyeing the Chinese vote. The opposition Islamic Party
of Malaysia (PAS) also seems keen to draw the Chinese into a rainbow
coalition against the government. "PAS is open to cooperation with
other parties and groups in contesting the election," says pas
president Fadzil Noor, who stresses that non-Muslims have nothing to
fear from his party's program.

Which way will the Chinese turn? Lim Kit Siang, leader of the
Chinese-based Democratic Action Party, says: "There is a fear that the
[anti-government] movement could lead to ethnic violence as seen in
Indonesia." But he dismisses the stereotype of the Chinese as
apolitical. "It's not fair to say that the Malaysian Chinese are not
concerned about justice and democracy," he says. "Every Malaysian
would like to have a greater say in the decision-making process." Well
might Mahathir worry.

With reporting by David Yong/Kuala Lumpur .
http://cgi.pathfinder.com/time/asia/magazine/

[Yap Yok Foo]

From Time Magazine
10th Nov 1998

Anwar : "I will be vindicated"

Anwar Ibrahim is allowed to jog once a day. He pays the state $2.60
daily for food. He has lost 6 kg since his Sept. 20 arrest, though his
wife says he is in "great spirits." The former Deputy Prime Minister
of Malaysia, now in solitary confinement at Sungai Buloh prison, is
guarded by three senior officers at all times to prevent other guards
from fraternizing with him. Through an intermediary, TIME was able to
obtain written answers from Anwar to a series of questions. Excerpts
from the exchange:

TIME: How are you holding up?
Anwar: I am in prison not because of being convicted of any crime but
simply because I'm denied bail, which is most unique and unprecedented
in Malaysian legal history. I'm extremely fine, as it can possibly get
in prison--busy with prayers, devouring books, strategizing reformasi,
avoiding the indolence of prison life.

TIME: How about your family? How are they coping?
Anwar: Azizah [his wife] is superb, and the children are supportive.

TIME: What was your interrogation like?
Anwar: Solitary confinement needs no description. They did not issue
any threats. Initially the interrogators were adamant in wanting me to
enlighten them on reformasi. I challenged them to write down my
statement. I proceeded to mention about the billions amassed by
[Malaysian officials]. They realized that they had stirred the
hornet's nest and changed the proceedings into friendly conversations
on inconsequential matters.

TIME: Can you tell us about the beating?
Anwar: Shortly after being brought to the police cell, blindfolded and
handcuffed, I was severely beaten on the head, neck and face,
rendering me somewhat unconscious till morning. I gathered information
later from police officers and personnel that the direct involvement
of the police top brass cannot be excluded. Dr. Mahathir was
monitoring developments by the minute. Tan Sri Rahim Nor, the
Inspector General of Police, has yet to offer an explanation. Nothing
was said prior to or after the assault.

TIME: What do you hear of the outside world and the protests?
Anwar: I'm kept informed through my family, counsels, police personnel
and prison staff who are generally sympathetic with me. I'm deeply
touched and encouraged by the concern and support shown by leaders,
ngos, friends and individuals.

TIME: Have your attitudes changed toward the Prime Minister and the
government he has created?
Anwar: My perception of his leadership is that he is drunk with power,
and that he has lost all sense of rationality and sanity. It's a
tragedy that he is unable to see that absolute power corrupts
absolutely! In his desperate attempt to cling to power, he has no
qualms about using all instruments of government to serve his ends.

TIME: What do you think the Prime Minister's legacy will be?
Anwar: He will be remembered as one who spurred economic development
and brought prosperity to the country, only to eventually destroy it
because of his megalomania. He has condoned abuse of power,
corruption, cronyism and nepotism.

TIME: How long do you think he will remain in power? Will you try to
bring him down? What's your strategy?
Anwar: He should have been gone if the democratic process were allowed
to take its course and the people were allowed to exercise their
legitimate constitutional rights. Even though I'm in prison, my
resolve to bring about reform will continue.

TIME: You've known Mahathir for years. What is he thinking now?
Anwar: His immediate preoccupation is to save himself and his family.
Now that he is aware of the growing public discontent against his
rule, he will resort to more repressive measures. And, possibly after
APEC, an emergency will be declared.

TIME: You've mentioned before that you might be prepared to talk about
deals between Malaysian officials and foreign governments. Any deals
with Burma, for example?
Anwar: They will charge me with treason if I respond to this question.
But on officials' business deals, I've been releasing information in
batches.

TIME: You once said that the Prime Minister often expressed concern
about the way the South Korean presidents have been treated. Why?
Anwar: He has a paranoia about the fate of past leaders being
prosecuted after leaving office. He despised the trial of President
Chun [Doo Hwan of South Korea], for example, and was heard to comment
that the action "would cause disunity in the country" and that its
people were "ungrateful." Similar feelings were expressed in regard to
the fall of Suharto.

TIME: If you ever became Prime Minister, would you order an
investigation against Mahathir and others who have turned against you?
Anwar: The people would have to decide whether or not Dr. Mahathir
should be investigated. It should not be dictated by anyone's personal
vendetta, or out of malice and desire to go on a witch-hunt. Leaders
must be accountable for their actions under the law.

TIME: If you could talk to Mahathir now, what would you say?
Anwar: Enough is enough. Resign!

TIME: Are you a homosexual?
Anwar: Definitely not. This is nothing but vile character
assassination calculated to prevent me from becoming PM. I've produced
evidence to prove a high-level conspiracy against me. The allegations
include all forms of sexual misconduct, corruption, treason,
complicity in a murder and other heinous crimes. Ultimately I will be
vindicated. Insya Allah.
http://cgi.pathfinder.com/time/asia/magazine/

[Yap Yok Foo]

From SCMP, HK
11th Nov 1998

Attack a gamble with court privilege
IAN STEWART

Anwar Ibrahim launched a fresh attack on Mahathir Mohamad during a
recess in his trial yesterday, prompting conjecture on whether the
former deputy prime minister's freedom in court would be curtailed.

Anwar has been allowed to move from the dock to talk to his family and
lawyers during breaks and before he returns to his cell in the Sungei
Buloh jail.

But The Sun on Sunday questioned his special treatment in an unsigned
article which sounded like an official warning.

Anwar, who is on trial for corruption, said the Prime Minister had to
accept the Malaysian public had rejected him and foreign leaders could
"not tolerate him any more".

He said Dr Mahathir was "getting recalcitrant" and foreign leaders
were "not going to meet him", in an apparent reference to
announcements by President Clinton and other government heads
attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation forum that they would
not hold bilateral talks with the Malaysian Prime Minister.

Anwar blasted Dr Mahathir and the Attorney-General Mohtar Abdullah on
the opening day of his trial, when he first used the dock as platform
for a political statement.

He accused the Attorney-General of being biased and unprofessional and
questioned whether he could "get a fair trial in these circumstances".

He stopped when a police officer moved forward and remained relatively
circumspect in making comments to the media until yesterday.
http://www.scmp.com/news

[Yap Yok Foo]

From SCMP, HK
12th Nov 1998

Media access thwarted as police hurry reporters from court

IAN STEWART
Police directed reporters at Anwar's trial to leave the courtroom
immediately after the hearing's adjournment yesterday, preventing them
overhearing remarks made to his family or from trying to ask him
questions.

Their action appeared aimed at limiting the possibility of exchanges
between Anwar and the media and followed his declaration made from the
dock on Tuesday that the Malaysian public had rejected Prime Minister
Mahathir, and that foreign leaders could "not tolerate him any more".

The development followed the appearance of an unattributed newspaper
article questioning his special treatment and implying he should be
handcuffed.

Anwar had attacked both Dr Mahathir and Attorney-General Mohtar
Abdullah from the dock on the opening day of his trial last week.

Yesterday, the prosecution complained that remarks attributed to the
former deputy prime minister in the Star newspaper had serious
implications.

He was reported to have said jokingly during a recess on Tuesday while
biting on a wafer: "No eating in court, according to Justice Paul."

The paper also reported that Anwar had commented adversely on evidence
given by a witness.

But Mr Justice Paul decided to let the matter rest after a defence
lawyer, Raja Aziz Addruse, said that there had been a misunderstanding
and Anwar had not mentioned the judge.

The lawyer also said the comment about the evidence was directed at
Anwar's family and not the press.

Mr Justice Paul said Anwar was free to eat in court during recesses
but his lawyer should advise him not to comment on the trial.

Anwar's remark about Dr Mahathir was not mentioned and he moved about
freely during breaks in the day's proceedings.

But the move against the media suggested that some authorities want
his access to the press curbed.
http://www.scmp.com/news

[Yap Yok Foo]

From Sydney Morning Herald
12th Nov 1998

Mahathir sets his sights low for APEC
By CRAIG SKEHAN - Herald Correspondent in Kuala Lumpur

The Malaysian Prime Minister, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, says he does not
expect next week's APEC summit meeting in Kuala Lumpur to lead to
quick reform of manipulative activities by international currency
speculators.

Dr Mahathir, who will host the November 18 leaders summit of the
21-nation Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation forum, is proposing
sweeping controls on currency traders and particularly on hedge funds.

His suggestions include licencing and registration of currency
traders, restrictions of bank lending to support their activities and
limits on currency movements.

A plan to be endorsed by Australia, on the other hand, emphasises
measures to increase the amount of information which has to be made
publicly available by capital funds on their dealings.

In September, Malaysia imposed controls on short-term capital flows
and fixed the exchange rate of its currency, the ringgit.

Dr Mahathir said yesterday that he expected the international
community would come to accept that "anarchy in the world financial
regime" could not be allowed to continue unabated.

"The international community does not move very fast and I think it
will take them three of four years before they take any decision at
all," he said.

"Once they have put some regulations in place, and we will not be
threatened by currency traders, then we will able to drop these
controls."

Dr Mahathir did not believe detailed agreement would be reached at the
APEC meeting on adopting further measures to lower regional trade
barriers.

"I am not thinking of concrete agreements," he said. "But I am quite
sure we will be discussing the issues very seriously. And, if at all,
we can agree, then each one of us will be pushing the line whenever we
meet in some international conference like the G7 [group of highly
industrialised nations]."

While his Government had made some mistakes, Dr Mahathir said, it was
not responsible for the collapse of Malaysia's previously high
economic growth.

"What did [the damage] was the devaluation of our currency by the
currency traders," he said.

"If it had been our fault, this thing would have happened long ago."

He questioned claims that the International Monetary Fund's
recommended responses to the regional crisis, which had been rejected
by Malaysia, were working in countries such as Thailand.

"That is something we can study together," he said. "Other people have
got other opinions."

Dr Mahathir downplayed the decision by US President Bill Clinton and
Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien not to hold bilateral talks with
him in protest against the arrest of Malaysia's sacked deputy prime
minister, Anwar Ibrahim.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/9811/12/world/index.html

[Yap Yok Foo]

From Sydney Morning Herald
12th Nov 1998

Ringgit rise hinges on economic conditions
By Stephen Seawright in Kuala Lumpur

THE Malaysian authorities could let the ringgit appreciate to around
RM3.50 against the US dollar within a few months if the economic
conditions permit, says one currency analyst.

Such a move would depend on the strength of the rest of Southeast
Asia's currencies, such as the Indonesian rupiah and the Singapore
dollar, and the size of Malaysia's trade surplus, the analyst said
yesterday.

The exchange rate has stood at around RM3.80 against the greenback
since the government introduced currency controls in a bid to stave
off further contagion from the Asian crisis.

Overseas bank lending is slowly starting to come back, but he added
that it was not anywhere near the levels seen prior to the
introduction of the controls, said Siva Shammugan, head of money
markets and foreign exchange operations at Eon Bank.

``It is still miniscule but, at least, the trend is changing slightly
on the part of overseas banks,'' Mr Shammugan said.

The controls will stay in place until the economic crisis is over,
which means their lifting could still be a few years away.

The currency controls limit the amount of cash anyone can carry in or
out of the country to RM1,000 (about HK$2,050), while residents cannot
take out more than RM10,000 worth of foreign currency notes and
travellers' cheques.

While only visitors can take away foreign currency, including
travellers' cheques, it must not exceed the amount which each person
brought into the country.

On arrival visitors are asked to declare the amount of foreign
currency in their possession. Although the inability to obtain ringgit
before leaving Hong Kong is incovenient, the controls have, at least
for this visitor, caused little difficulty once inside Malaysia.

Exchanging US dollars for ringgit has so far been swift and convenient
and one can also withdraw ringgit from ATM cash points.
http://www.hkstandard.com/online/finance/001/features/fina012.htm

[Yap Yok Foo]

From ST Singapore
12th Nov 1998

Albright plans for pro-Anwar move in KL

WASHINGTON -- US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright is planning to
speak out in favour of ousted Malaysian Premier Anwar Ibrahim during
her stay in Kuala Lumpur at the weekend, officials have said.

In a show of disapproval for the Malaysian government's treatment of
Anwar, who is on trial on corruption charges, Mrs Albright will not be
holding any meetings with Malaysian officials, said State Department
spokesman James Rubin on Tuesday.

"We have concerns about the political situation there and it is
possible that Secretary Albright will find a way before leaving
Malaysia to make clear that concern," he said.

Sources said she might meet Anwar's wife, who is lobbying foreign
governments to speak out in favour of her husband, currently facing 10
counts of corruption and sodomy, all of which he has pleaded not
guilty to.

Anwar, who was sacked as Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister on
Sept 2, complained that he was beaten up by police after his arrest
under the Internal Security Act.

His trial on four of the corruption charges began last week amid huge
international interest, but will be halted next week to avoid clashing
with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders' summit on Nov 17
and 18.

US President Bill Clinton and Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien

have declined traditional one-on-one meetings with Prime Minister
Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad to protest against Anwar's treatment.

Mrs Albright, who is scheduled to leave here today, was to arrive in
Kuala Lumpur late on Friday for two days of talks with Apec Foreign
Ministers.

She then travels on to Thailand and Indonesia.

But Mr Rubin said that the schedule might change because of a looming
showdown with Iraq on arms inspections. -- AFP
http://straitstimes.asia1.com

[Yap Yok Foo]

From ST Singapore
12th Nov 1998

Cohen calls for fair trial for Anwar
By LEE SIEW HUA
US CORRESPONDENT

WASHINGTON -- US Defence Secretary William Cohen said he hoped Anwar
Ibrahim would be treated fairly and that the outcome of his trial
would be just.

Replying to a question on Malaysia, he began by emphasising the "very
good" ties which had "strengthened in recent years".

Then he added: "As you know, there is considerable controversy taking
place with respect to domestic matters, which I prefer not to comment
on at this point since I have a strong friendship with the Deputy
Prime Minister.

"But I hope that he will be treated with fairness, due process, and a
just outcome will result from the trial."

He said the US hoped to maintain its good working relationship with
Malaysia, and noted that several US industries had facilities there.

He was speaking at a news conference with Singapore Deputy Prime
Minister Tony Tan after signing an agreement on Tuesday on facilities
for US naval ships at the new Changi Naval Base.
http://straitstimes.asia1.com

[Yap Yok Foo]

From ST Singapore
12th Nov 1998

Howard to use Apec meet to press KL for fair trial

CANBERRA -- The Australian Prime Minister will use Apec talks with his
Malaysian counterpart, Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad, to insist on a
fair trial for sacked Deputy Premier Anwar Ibrahim.

Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said in an interview on Wednesday:
"We want Dr Mahathir, as the chairman of Apec, to chair the meeting in
a way that is going to ensure a successful outcome from Apec.

"We also want Dr Mahathir to renew a commitment that Anwar Ibrahim
will be subjected to a free and fair trial."

Prime Minister John Howard plans to meet Dr Mahathir during the annual
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders' summit in Kuala Lumpur next
week.

US President Bill Clinton and Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien

have said they would not hold bilateral talks with Dr Mahathir during
the summit on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Since Anwar's sacking and arrest, protesters have launched sporadic
street demonstrations, urging Dr Mahathir to step down after 17 years
in power.

Mr Howard, despite his recent statements of concern about Anwar, has
come under fire from the Australian opposition for planning talks with
Dr Mahathir.

But Mr Downer said that without the talks, Australia could not put its
concerns about the Anwar trial directly across to Dr Mahathir.

"Now, in the end, you can't make that point to Dr Mahathir if you
don't talk to him," said the Foreign Minister.

But he declined to comment on the progress of the trial: "I'm
certainly, as a Foreign Minister of Australia, not going to set myself
up as a commentator on the trial."

The trial began on Monday last week and adjourns on Saturday, three
days before the Apec summit.

It resumes on Thursday next week, one day after the summit.

Mr Howard last month said that Malaysia was moving towards
authoritarianism, a comment which prompted an official protest from
Malaysia. -- Reuters
http://straitstimes.asia1.com

[StormNY]

>From SCMP, HK
>12th Nov 1998

Appreciate your posting the news stories, but it would be nice to have each one
as a separate post, so reactions and comments can be read in threads to the
article. Thanks again.

[Mohd Bin Maideen]

ya she can come and suck my dick. ok
fucking jews bitch

Yap Yok Foo <yf...@pop.jaring.my> wrote in article
<364bbeb1...@news.jaring.my>...

> From ST Singapore
> 12th Nov 1998
>

> Albright plans for pro-Anwar move in KL
>
> WASHINGTON -- US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright is planning to
> speak out in favour of ousted Malaysian Premier Anwar Ibrahim during
> her stay in Kuala Lumpur at the weekend, officials have said.
>
> In a show of disapproval for the Malaysian government's treatment of
> Anwar, who is on trial on corruption charges, Mrs Albright will not be
> holding any meetings with Malaysian officials, said State Department
> spokesman James Rubin on Tuesday.
>
> "We have concerns about the political situation there and it is
> possible that Secretary Albright will find a way before leaving
> Malaysia to make clear that concern," he said.
>
> Sources said she might meet Anwar's wife, who is lobbying foreign
> governments to speak out in favour of her husband, currently facing 10
> counts of corruption and sodomy, all of which he has pleaded not
> guilty to.
>
> Anwar, who was sacked as Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister on
> Sept 2, complained that he was beaten up by police after his arrest
> under the Internal Security Act.
>
> His trial on four of the corruption charges began last week amid huge
> international interest, but will be halted next week to avoid clashing
> with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders' summit on Nov 17
> and 18.
>

> US President Bill Clinton and Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien

[Yap Yok Foo]

From SCMP, HK
13th Nov 1998

Dates set for hearings on sex charges

Critical reaction: Anwar's wife Wan Azizah Ismail with their daughter
Nurul Issah claims that the proceedings were a waste of government
money. Associated Press photo

IAN STEWART in Kuala Lumpur

As the trial of Anwar Ibrahim continued its slow progress yesterday
with so far only seven of more than 50 listed witnesses called,
defence lawyers announced that dates had been set for hearings on six
other charges, including five counts of sodomy.

This will extend the proceedings until June.

Anwar, sacked as deputy prime minister in September, is being tried on
four charges of corruptly using his position to avoid criminal charges
by having police officers obtain retractions of allegations of his
sexual misbehaviour. He faces one more corrupt practice charge and
five of sodomy.

One of two documents making the allegations said he had had a
homosexual relationship with his former driver, Azizan Abu Bakar, and
an affair with the wife of his private secretary.

At its present pace, the current trial, which will be in recess next
week when the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation summit takes place
here, appears unlikely to be completed next month but the first of the
new hearings has been set to start on December 14.

Anwar's wife, Wan Azizah Ismail, who said she would welcome a meeting
with US President Bill Clinton during the APEC summit, described the
proceedings as "laborious" and a waste of government money.

Earlier she had released a statement by her husband, who said that
while he had made efforts as finance minister to "keep down wastage",
the Prime Minister, Mahathir Mohamad, had directed the Finance
Ministry to place an order for a M$200 million (HK$98.5 million)
"sophisticated jet" aircraft, called the Global Express, due for
delivery next month.

During a recess in the trial, Anwar accused Dr Mahathir of violating a
court gag order in comments on the hearing.

Dr Mahathir told CNN that once the trial was over and people knew what
was right and what was wrong, the situation in which his Government
was under criticism would be resolved.

"They said no commenting on the case but the PM said something," Anwar
said.

"There are two sets of laws - one for me and one for Dr M. They put me
in prison and ask me to shut up. What are they afraid of?"

In evidence at the trial yesterday, a police Special Branch assistant
commissioner, Mazlan Mohamed Din, said the fact that the driver had
sworn on the Koran to tell the truth about his allegation that he had
been sodomised by Anwar made the officer believe him.

"Azizan was very consistent in making his allegation," Mr Mazlan said.
http://www.scmp.com/news/

[Yap Yok Foo]

From Melbourne Age
13th Nov 1998

Howard urged to support Anwar on APEC eve
By CRAIG SKEHAN

One of the new leaders of Malaysia's political reform movement, Dr Wan
Azizah, today asked the Australian Prime Minister, Mr John Howard, to
help secure the release from prison of her husband, former Deputy
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

She sought a personal meeting to discuss Mr Anwar's case with Mr
Howard, who is due in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday for the APEC regional
trade liberalisation summit.

Dr Wan Azizah said she wanted to ``lobby'' Mr Howard to press for Mr
Anwar's release. ``I have met Mr Howard before and I would like to see
(him) again,'' she said.

Philippines President Joseph Estrada has already stated publicly that
he hopes to see Dr Wan Azizah and, if allowed by the Malaysian
Government, to visit Mr Anwar in jail.

Dr Wan Azizah, who maintains that sex charges and corruption charges
against her husband are the result of a high-level political
conspiracy, has herself been threatened with arrest for making
allegedly ``seditious'' statements. Mr Anwar has been refused bail and
claims he was beaten by police until he lost consciousness.

There will be 21 countries represented at the Asia-Pacific Economic
Cooperation talks which get underway today and culminate in the 18
November leaders' summit.

Mr Howard has said he will raise with Dr Mahathir the 20 September
arrest of Mr Anwar and Australia's desire that he be given a fair
trial.

However, in an effort to avoid bilateral diplomatic strains, and
because of a view that Mr Anwar's case should not jeopardise a
successful outcome for the APEC meeting, Mr Howard has been avoiding
more specific comments on internal developments.

These developments have included mass arrests and beatings of
protesters at anti-government rallies. There have also been claims
that the police special branch is being used to deny freedom of speech
by intimidating leaders of the political reform movement.

Mr Anwar, during a short court adjournment yesterday, criticised
comments by Dr Mahathir in a television interview on Tuesday stating
that court evidence had shown that Mr Anwar interfered in police
investigations.

Corruption and interference in police operations is the basis of four
charges against Mr Anwar currently being heard in the Malaysia's High
Court.

``The court said I should not comment,'' Mr Anwar said yesterday.
``The Prime Minister did comment and yet no action is taken against
him. Is there one law for Anwar Ibrahim and another for the Prime
Minister?''

Mr Anwar also said that the prosecution was introducing ``flying
letters'' at the hearings as part of a ``conspiracy to embarrass me''.

Anonymous flying letters, also known as poison-pen letters, have for
many years been used by politicians in Malaysia to smear opponents.
http://www.theage.com.au/daily/981113/news/news9.html

[Yap Yok Foo]

From NST
13th Nov 1998

PM: Anwar approved purchase of new jet

KUALA LUMPUR, Thurs. - Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today
former Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Anwar
Ibrahim had approved the purchase of a new executive jet three years
ago to replace the current one which has aged.

He said the jet, which would be owned by the Government, was to be
used by both the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister for official
foreign missions.

"I don't have that much money," he told reporters after the launch of
the new Proton Perdana V6 and Satria GTi 1.8 models.

He was asked to comment on a statement by Anwar that he (Dr Mahathir)
had ordered a RM200 million jet and personally designed the aircraft's
interior decor.

The statement, which was issued by Anwar from the Kuala Lumpur court
lock-up, claimed that the aircraft would be delivered next month.

Dr Mahathir said the current jet, which was also used by Anwar when he
was Deputy Prime Minister, would be sold before the new one arrived.

"We don't want to borrow other people's jets. We don't like to do
that."

Dr Mahathir said he was unsure of the cost of the new aircraft.

Anwar has been charged with 10 counts of corruption and sexual
misconduct, all of which he has denied. He was sacked from all
government positions on Sept 2 and expelled from Umno the next day.

On the possibility of a United States attack on Iraq over the United
Nations arms inspection stand-off, Dr Mahathir said: "I hope there is
no attack. I hope people will sit down and talk to each other."

Dr Mahathir said Malaysia was against physical assault on anybody,
whether it was an individual or a country.

He was responding to a question on the planned military strikes by the
US and Britain to punish Iraq for its stand-off with the UN Special
Commission responsible for eliminating Iraq's weapons of mass
destruction.

Reports today said US forces had begun to converge on the Gulf as
Iraqi President Saddam Hussein remained defiant.

Dr Mahathir also hoped that the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation
Summit next week would focus on solving the current economic problems
faced by Asian countries.
http://www.nstpi.com.my/nst

[Yap Yok Foo]

From Singapore ST
13th Nov 1998

Anwar ups the ante against Prime Minister
EX-DPM'S NEW ALLEGATIONS

By BRENDAN PEREIRA IN KUALA LUMPUR

FORMER Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim yesterday refrained from
commenting on his trial but intensified his attack against his former
mentor, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Speaking to reporters during a court break, he noted that Dr Mahathir
violated Justice Augustine Paul's gag order on the case in an
interview with CNN on Tuesday.

"They said no commenting on the case, but the PM said something. There
are two sets of laws, one for me, one for Dr Mahathir. They put me in
prison and ask me to shut up. What are they afraid of?" he said.

He then reminded journalists that he was not making any statements on
the court proceedings.

"This is a comment on the general political climate," he added,
smiling.

On Wednesday, he had been advised by Justice Paul to stop commenting
on the case after the prosecution drew the judge's attention to a
newspaper report, which quoted Anwar as questioning the credibility of
outgoing Special Branch director Datuk Mohamed Said Awang's testimony.

His lawyers told the judge that the comment was directed at his
family, not the press.

For the second consecutive day, he issued statements from the lock-up.

Two neatly-typed statements were handed out by his wife, Datin Seri Dr
Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, at lunchtime.

The first alleged that Dr Mahathir had directed the Finance Ministry
to place an order for "a new, and very sophisticated executive jet" --
the Global Express -- which cost about RM200 million (S$82 million).

Anwar said the interior decoration of the jet was done by the Premier
himself and that the plane would be here next month.

He also repeated allegations on the amount spent to build the leader's
official residence in Putrajaya.

He said the RM17.5 million price tag disclosed recently in Parliament
would "only be enough for the fence and kitchen", and alleged that the
residence cost RM200 million.

In the statement, he also alleged that he and his wife rejected a
proposed new residence for the Deputy Premier because the it would
have been "a waste of public funds".

"Do not allow the principle of accountability to be pushed aside while
enabling the one with power to do as he pleases," he cautioned.

In the second statement on share allocations and contracts awarded by
the Finance Ministry, he declared that he had never in his six years
in the ministry approved any shares or contracts for anyone in his
family.

Responding to these charges at a press conference, Dr Mahathir said
the RM200 million jet was the government's, not his, and that Anwar
had approved the purchase when he was Finance Minister.
http://straitstimes.asia1.com/pages/mal13_1113.html

[Yap Yok Foo]

From Singapore BT
13th Nov 1998

KL Dec 1 deadline to register stocks worries investors, brokers
Failure to register KL-listed stocks may lead to losing them
By Ven Sreenivasan and Conrad Raj

[SINGAPORE]
Stockbrokers and investors in Singapore, as well as registrars of
Malaysian listed companies, are scrambling to meet a Dec 1 share
registration deadline specified in a new Malaysian securities law.

Under the new rule, all foreigners holding Kuala Lumpur-listed stocks
will have up to that date to register their shares under their own
names with Malaysian-based authorised depository agents (ADA).

Failure to do so could mean losing their shares.

Section 30 of The Securities Industry (Central Depositories Amendment)
Act, which was introduced last week but dated Nov 1, requires
foreigners who bought Malaysian shares through offshore brokers to
re-register them in their own names with Malaysian brokers.

The shares can alternatively be moved to nominee accounts with
Malaysian brokers or banks.

Section 14 of the amended Act also requires all investors holding
share certificates, regardless of whether they are Malaysians or
foreigners, to deposit their scrip with an ADA not later than Nov 30.

Investors are particularly worried about the seemingly draconian
penalties spelt out for failure to conform with the new requirements.

Failure to comply will result in the shares being transferred to the
Malaysian Minister of Finance without further reference to the
investor.

And if investors fail to act to claim their shares within six months
after that, the shares will be taken over by the Official Assignee who
will then sell the shares at prevailing prices and attempt to return
the proceeds to the shareholders.

Some brokers here see the new regulations as an attempt to force
Singaporeans out of the Malaysian stock market.

They are worried that should the KLSE fail to place the shares with an
ADA before the deadline, their clients may suffer the inconvenience of
having to lodge claims with the Malaysian Finance Ministry.

The latest moves are seen by some in the market to be aimed at
non-Clob shares purchased directly in Kuala Lumpur through Singapore
brokers.

But some have raised concern over the $2 billion worth of Clob shares
belonging to some 170,000 investors here.

These shares have been transmigrated to the KLSE following the
termination in September of trading in Malaysian shares on Clob
International, Singapore's over-the-counter market.

But one broker said there should be little concern over Clob shares as
these have already been deposited in interim accounts with the KLSE
and are waiting to be transferred to individual Malaysian Central
Depository accounts.

These shares currently sit in the Singapore brokers' principal
accounts with their Kuala Lumpur-based counterparts.

The individual investor's name is reflected in sub-accounts within
these principal accounts.

Traders here say the new law effectively removes the foreign broker
network from the buying and selling of Malaysian stocks.

"Previously, there was a contractual link between the Singapore client
and Singapore broker," said one dealer.

"If the client did not settle, the broker still had claim to the
shares sitting in his principal account. With that link gone, no one
is going to stick his neck out to buy or sell Malaysian stocks for
clients here."

In short, offshore investors who want to buy a Malaysian stock will
have to do so directly through Malaysian brokers.

"This is tantamount to saying that if you want to buy a can of Coke,
come to America," remarked the head of a local broking house.

Sub-section 2 of Section 30 states that Malaysian brokers who fail to
de-register the "unauthorised" principal accounts "shall be guilty of
an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding
three million ringgit (S$1.3 million) or to imprisonment for a term
not exceeding ten years or both".

Several broking houses which have informed their clients about the new
rules reported being deluged with investors anxious to re-register
their shares.

KL brokers have flown into town at the invitation of their Singapore
counterparts to do the registrations.

Even the registrars of Malaysian-listed companies have been inundated
with calls from investors, both Malaysian and foreign, anxious about
the status of their investments.

"The problem is huge and we have been given so little time. Take Sime
Darby Bhd for example. Just this one counter still has some 8,000
shareholders holding certificates for over 200 million shares, or
nearly 10 per cent of its outstanding issued capital of 2.3 billion
shares. So how are they (the Malaysian authorities) going to cope with
the problem in the time given?", a Malaysian company executive asked.

He said that many shareholders live abroad and would have great
difficulty meeting the deadline. However, he also pointed out that the
Malaysian scripless exercise had been going on for some years now and
so part of the blame lay with them.

Attempts to contact the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange were unsuccessful.
The Singapore Stock Exchange, meanwhile, declined to comment.

A check by BT showed that several broking houses were either not aware
of, or had yet to act on, these new regulations despite the fact that
the deadline is only two weeks away.

The latest developments come two-and-a-half months after the Malaysian
authorities declared that any purchase of KL-listed shares through
overseas bourses would not be recognised.

After much confusion and some investor panic, the move finally led to
the termination of trading in Malaysian stocks on Clob International.

"The Malaysians seem intent on killing whatever liquidity there is
left in their market," observed one industry source wryly.

"I don't think many Singapore brokers will be badly affected because
transactions in Malaysian equities have fallen sharply since they
introduced the capital controls."

Nevertheless, given that the opening and transfer of each new
individual account will cost individual investors about RM20 per
counter, brokers reckon the KLSE stands to reap a tidy sum of around
RM5 million to RM6 million from the whole exercise.
http://business-times.asia1.com.sg/5/nfrnt02.html

[Yap Yok Foo]

From Times of India
13th Nov 1998

Judge bars lewd account of Anwar being read
By Alvin Ung

KUALA LUMPUR: The judge in the trial of Anwar Ibrahim on Thursday
barred a witness from reading out loud a lewd account of the former
deputy prime minister's alleged sexual misconduct.

Anwar, 51, is on trial for corruption and sex crimes, in what he
claims is a politically motivated vendetta. The charges of illicit sex
acts, allegedly with a man and a woman in separate incidents, have
shocked this nation.

During a break in Thursday's proceedings, Anwar issued a string of
verbal taunts against the government and his one-time patron,
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, despite a gag order.

``There are two sets of laws, one for me and one for Dr. Mahathir.
They put me in prison and they asked me to shut up. I'm in prison, so
why are they scared?'' Anwar told a group of reporters in the
courtroom hallway.

He added: ``There are so many poison pen letters against the prime
minister and (the national police chief). I've seen so many of them.''

Anwar's trial is already expected to drag on well into next year, but
the exasperated defendant said that if Mahathir is ``still in power
then it might go beyond the year 2000.''

Bailiffs gently put their arms around Anwar and escorted the visibly
upset defendant back to the courtroom.

The trial will be suspended during next week's summit of world leaders
in Kuala Lumpur, some of whom may be meeting Anwar's wife, Azizah
Ismail. Any such meetings are likely to infuriate the Malaysian
government, which doesn't want the Anwar case to become a sideshow to
the summit talks.

On Thursday, Judge Augustine Paul barred Mazlan Mohamed Din, an
assistant police commissioner, from reading aloud a lewd account of
Anwar's alleged sexual encounters with his private secretary's wife.

``This evidence is being introduced solely for its prejudicial
value,'' defense attorney Christopher Fernando complained. ``It
certainly has no probative value.''

Judge Paul agreed, stipulating that the documents would be entered
into the trial record, but not read aloud in the crowded courtroom.

During the exchange, Anwar supporters in the courtroom sat bolt
upright and stared straight ahead.

The day before, Judge Paul rejected defense attempts to show the
former Malaysian deputy prime minister is the victim of a political
conspiracy and trumped- up charges.

Anwar maintains the sex and corruption charges against him stem from
his rivalry with Mahathir. The criminal proceedings have cast a shadow
over next week's summit of 21 government leaders of the Asia-Pacific
Economic Cooperation forum. Critics say the case demonstrates human
rights abuses in this country.

Anwar says his one-time patron, Mahathir, is losing support both at
home and abroad. ``Foreign leaders can no longer tolerate him anymore.
He's becoming recalcitrant,'' Anwar said. He said many Malaysians also
rejected Mahathir's 17-year rule. (AP)
http://www.timesofindia.com/today/13worl7.htm

[Yap Yok Foo]

From The Star
13th Nov 1998

New Proton models hit the road

HOT WHEELS ... Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad
inspecting the new Proton Satria GTi which he launched at the Stadium
Putra, Bukit Jalil, yesterday.

The national car maker also introduced the Perdana V6 model.

More than 8,000 people, including cabinet ministers, ambassadors,
Proton's domestic and international distributors, and the public
witnessed the event, another milestone in the history of Malaysia's
car industry.

According to Proton, the latest models have substantial engineering
changes, apart from Lotus Engineering's input on cosmetic refinements.

The Satria has an upgraded 1.8-litre twin-cam engine and a complete
suspension re-packaging. It claims a top speed of 210kph and a
0-100kph acceleration time of 7.7 seconds.

The Perdana V6 has a new 2-litre V6 engine, to add more power while
saving on fuel consumption.

The new Proton models are available immediately.

The Perdana V6 costs about RM98,000, while the Satria GTi costs about
RM68,000.
http://thestar.com.my/current/13twcar.html

[Yap Yok Foo]

From The Star
13th Nov 1998

Daim: Govt service tax may be doubled

KOTA KINABALU: Government service tax may soon be doubled from the
present five per cent.

Special Functions Minister Tun Daim Zainuddin said the Government was
considering doubling the service tax to increase revenue and for
tourism promotion.

"We can still increase the service tax since our hotels are among the
cheapest in the region," he said without specifying when the increase
would be enforced.

Daim told 200 businessmen and civil servants at a National Economic
Recovery Plan dialogue here yesterday that not enough was being done
to promote Malaysia as a tourist destination.

Compared with Thailand and other neighbouring countries, he said
Malaysia still had to do more in its tourism promotion efforts.

"We recognise that tourism is the engine of growth and more needs to
be done to promote the sector in Malaysia," he said.

He said the Malaysian Tourism Board, Malaysia Airlines and the
respective states should streamline their promotion efforts instead of
working independently.

On the question of lowering air fares to encourage domestic tourism,
Daim said MAS was already losing money on its domestic routes.

"We cannot ask MAS to lower its fares any further," he said, adding
that the Government had allowed competition with the setting up of Air
Asia and Transmile Air.
http://thestar.com.my

[michael]

In article <3655c502...@news.jaring.my> yf...@pop.jaring.my writes:
>KOTA KINABALU: Government service tax may soon be doubled from the
>present five per cent.
>
>Special Functions Minister Tun Daim Zainuddin said the Government was

>considering doubling the service tax ... for tourism promotion.

Doubling the service tax for tourism promotion?

Must be the oxymoron of the day. :)

regards,
michael ... afn2...@afn.org

[^AbaNg^]

Is this the way to promote tourism by doubling service tax? Of all, probably
there won't be any tourist with increasing service tax. Not to mention the
locals. Can't afford it anymore.

Guess this oxymoron depends on those foreigners to pay the doubled service
tax.

michael wrote in message <91098823...@wang.pc.my>...

>In article <3655c502...@news.jaring.my> yf...@pop.jaring.my writes:
>>KOTA KINABALU: Government service tax may soon be doubled from the
>>present five per cent.
>>

[Fearless]

On Fri, 13 Nov 1998 05:35:19 GMT, yf...@pop.jaring.my (Yap Yok Foo)
wrote:

>From The Star
>13th Nov 1998
>
>Daim: Govt service tax may be doubled
>

>KOTA KINABALU: Government service tax may soon be doubled from the
>present five per cent.
>

>Special Functions Minister Tun Daim Zainuddin said the Government was

>considering doubling the service tax to increase revenue and for
>tourism promotion.

He is going to reduce hotel occupancy rate from 30 % to 15 % with this
genius idea.

>
>"We can still increase the service tax since our hotels are among the
>cheapest in the region," he said without specifying when the increase
>would be enforced.

Still cannot compete with neighboring countries even with among the
cheapest rate in the region !! What else he want ?

>
>Daim told 200 businessmen and civil servants at a National Economic
>Recovery Plan dialogue here yesterday that not enough was being done
>to promote Malaysia as a tourist destination.

Ask Sabaruddin Chik to answer for that.. or put the blame on foreign
media

>
>Compared with Thailand and other neighbouring countries, he said
>Malaysia still had to do more in its tourism promotion efforts.

Does Bolehland has something better than night-life and sex industry
in Thailand ? He can promote our country as gay's heaven after gaining
the free worldwide publicity campaign for Anwar saga. Why not ??

>
> "We recognise that tourism is the engine of growth and more needs to
>be done to promote the sector in Malaysia," he said.
>

>He said the Malthaysian Tourism Board, Malaysia Airlines and the

>respective states should streamline their promotion efforts instead of
>working independently.

Unthinkable that MAS can play a role in the tourism. MAS used to be
one of best airline services in 80th, but now it becomes one of worst
in the region under the pathetic leadership of Tajuddin.

Although i'm not a frequent MAS passenger, have plenty of unpleasant
encounters in short period if time. They still owed me ticket refund
money since August 97 !!

>
>On the question of lowering air fares to encourage domestic tourism,
>Daim said MAS was already losing money on its domestic routes.

MAS was losing money because of lousy operating efficiency and they
are deserved as LOSER.

>
>"We cannot ask MAS to lower its fares any further," he said, adding
>that the Government had allowed competition with the setting up of Air
>Asia and Transmile Air.
>http://thestar.com.my
>

Asking your customers to pay higher fares to compensate your screw-up
in business ??? Did him think that NEP could be extended outside the
Bolehland to pamper MAS forever ?

Rgds,
Fearless

Disclaimer : "Malaysia semua boleh di mana-mana pun boleh !! "

[Yap Yok Foo]

From The Financial Times, UK
14th Nov 1998

APEC: Fingers crossed that leaders can avoid summit fiasco

The regional economic crisis and fears of protectionism make it a
vital meeting, but the omens for success are not good. By Peter
Montagnon, Gwen Robinson and Sheila McNulty

A round of applause broke out in Jakarta four years ago when Rafidah
Aziz, Malaysia's trade minister, offered Kuala Lumpur as the venue for
this year's summit of the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation (Apec)
forum.

Then it seemed that Malaysia was finally willing to become engaged in
a regional trade liberalisation process it had hitherto regarded with
reserve. But now some of those who clapped must be regretting their
enthusiasm. For, as the 21 leaders start arriving in Malaysia this
weekend, their meeting is beset with problems that could make it an
embarrassing fiasco.

Not only must they look for a credible way out of the economic crisis
that has hit Asia over the past 18 months. The US and Australia are at
loggerheads with Japan over its refusal to free trade in forestry and
fishery products as part of a concerted sectoral liberalisation
programme. Worst of all, there is general worry about whether Mahathir
Mohamad, Malaysia's controversial prime minister, is a suitable
chairman given current domestic tensions, his frequent outbursts
against financial investors and his recent decision to impose capital
controls.

Normally, the host sets the tone for Apec summits and plays an
important role in shaping the outcome. But several of Dr Mahathir's
guests are reluctant to be publicly associated with him since charges
of sodomy and corruption were laid against his main political rival,
Anwar Ibrahim.

Mr Anwar's detention under the Internal Security Act and his court
appearance with a black eye last month prompted an outcry even from
some of Malaysia's normally reticent neighbours such as the
Philippines and Indonesia. President Bill Clinton and Jean Chrétien,
Canada's prime minister, are studiously avoiding a bilateral meeting
with Dr Mahathir while they are in town.

In that climate it may prove difficult to make progress with the
group's normal economic agenda, which is already complicated by the
arrival this year of Russia, a large new Apec member with a whole host
of problems of its own and a traditional reluctance to play a backseat
role.

US officials believe this year's meeting has a crucial role to play in
preventing the regional economic crisis from leading to a retreat into
protectionism. If the afflicted countries are to continue receiving
financial assistance and sell their products in the US, they must
maintain open markets of their own and stimulate domestic demand.
Japan's reluctance to open its fisheries and forestry markets has thus
become an issue of symbolic importance.

Japan argues that it is already a large importer of both fishery and
forest products, which carry low tariffs of 4.6 per cent and 1.7 per
cent respectively. But these are both sensitive products and it was
politically difficult to cut tariffs to this level in the Uruguay
Round. Further cuts should come in the context of a new world trade
round in which Japan could expect reciprocal concessions, says Masaki
Okada of Tokyo's foreign ministry.

But this cuts little ice with those who worry that Japanese
recalcitrance could cause the whole concerted action programme to
unravel. Indonesia, for example, might be tempted to opt out of
liberalisation in other sectors such as chemicals. Sectoral
liberalisation covering 40 per cent of intra-regional trade is
"central to Apec's work programme," says Joanna Hewitt, Australia's
Apec ambassador. "It would be a great setback if we were not able to
produce a good package."

But it is not only on sectoral liberalisation that the meeting will be
judged. President Clinton said this week that he was looking for a new
commitment from Japan to revive its economy as well as moves to
facilitate private sector debt restructuring in Asia as part of
efforts to revive regional growth. Australia has been urging Apec
countries to commit themselves to international standards in banking
and financial market supervision as part of efforts to improve
transparency and prevent future crises.

Others, including Dr Mahathir, want reform of the world financial
system to be discussed, with several Asian countries expected to call
for better surveillance of financial markets and regulation of
short-term capital flows. How Dr Mahathir handles this question as
chairman is likely to be crucial to the overall outcome of the
meeting.

Some participants fear that too much focus on the Anwar trial - many
visiting leaders will be under strong pressure from home to raise the
issue and there could also be large demonstrations in Kuala Lumpur -
might drive him into a corner and prompt further outbursts of temper
directed to hedge funds and other portfolio investors. The meeting
could then break up in disarray. Even on the Japanese trade question
there is doubt over his willingness to bang heads together, because of
Tokyo's role in financing large Malaysian infrastructure projects.

Malaysia is trying to keep domestic politics out of the summit. "If we
cloud the agenda with political motives, we will never be able to
focus on issues of interest to member economies," Ms Rafidah says.

Elsewhere a climate of nervousness prevails, based on the realisation
this is one of those rare summits, which cannot be scripted in
advance.

The best hope is fear of a fiasco will keep everybody on their best
behaviour. Most also agree Dr Mahathir himself needs a positive
outcome to boost his flagging international reputation and may want to
keep some of his more extravagant views under wraps. "Anyone trying to
barge their way through with rhetoric will be pretty savagely dealt
with by their fellow leaders and by the media," says Tim Fischer,
Australian trade minister. "That in itself will be a constructive
dynamic."
www.ft.com

[Yap Yok Foo]

From Singapore BT
14th Nov 1998

KLSE regulator to allow appeals on transfer of shares
Flexibility meant to help foreign investors who miss Dec 1 deadline
By Conrad Raj in Singapore and Meera Tharmaratnam in Kuala Lumpur

MALAYSIA'S securities regulator will come out with an appeals
procedure soon, to assist foreign investors unable to meet the Dec 1
deadline to register their shares under their own names with
Malaysian-based authorised depository agents (ADAs) or with authorised
nominees.

But the deadline itself will not be extended, a Securities Commission
spokesman told BT. Any flexibility extended by the regulator will
likely be directed towards simplifying the procedures governing the
new law.

  <Picture: Photo: ARTHUR LEE>  Easing the confusion: GK Goh in
Singapore yesterday set up tables outside its office to help clients
fill out forms for the move
------------------------------------------------------------------------

The new rules have caused confusion among Singaporeans who hold
Malaysian shares. Affected are some $2 billion worth of shares bought
on Clob International and another one billion Malaysian ringgit (S$434
million) worth of non-Clob shares bought through broking houses in
Singapore with nominee accounts with their Kuala Lumpur counterparts,
brokers said.

Broking houses in Singapore and in Malaysia have in the last few days
been flooded with calls from investors anxious about their ability to
meet the deadline.

"We have tonnes of calls from anxious clients," one harassed broker
said, adding that it was difficult to keep up with the Malaysian rules
"as they keep changing them so often and without proper explanation".
"For instance, just this evening, we were told by our Malaysian
brokers that the yellow forms our clients were using to register
transfers to an ADA were no longer valid, and that they (the Malaysian
authorities) would be issuing new pink forms. But still with no change
to the deadline."

The deadline was drawn up under the Securities Industry (Central

Depositories Amendment) Act, which was introduced last week but

backdated to Nov 1. According to the explanation in the Bill, the
change is meant to ensure greater transparency in the holding of
securities.

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has led the call for greater
transparency in the securities market, blaming the use of nominee
accounts by foreign hedge funds and Singapore's over-the-counter
market, Clob International, for Malaysia's financial problems.

The amendment, among other things, forces foreign investors to
register their securities with a Malaysian ADA and makes it mandatory
for all investors who still have not gone scripless to deposit their
scrip with an ADA.

The latest moves by the Malaysian authorities are seen by some to be

aimed at non-Clob shares purchased directly in Kuala Lumpur through
Singapore brokers.

Brokers in Singapore charge the normal one per cent brokerage for most
clients (big clients may receive discounts) but Kuala Lumpur
brokerages charge their Singapore counterparts between 0.25 and 0.35
per cent.

But the confusion over the new rules has also caused some concern over

the $2 billion worth of Clob shares belonging to some 170,000

investors in Singapore.

Financial institutions are also concerned that where financing is
involved, moving scrip to their beneficial owners could leave them
without proper collateral. Under Singapore laws, finance firms cannot
provide uncollateralised loans of over $5,000.

A Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange spokesman said he could not comment yet
on the new rules. Failure to comply with the new rules will result in

the shares being transferred to the Malaysian Minister of Finance
without further reference to the investor.

And if investors fail to act to claim their shares within six months

after that, the shares will be taken over by the Official Assignee,
who will then dispose of the shares in a manner and time he thinks fit
and use the proceeds like all other unclaimed monies. Share registrars
who fail to transfer the securities as specified under the law face
conviction and a fine of up to RM3 million for every security or share
on which the law has been breached.
http://business-times.asia1.com.sg/5/nfrnt02.html

[Yap Yok Foo]

From Singapore ST
14th Nov 1998

It's time to stand up to Malaysia

IN MEDIA reports, it is always "Malaysia warns Singapore" or "Malaysia
wants Singapore to..." Frankly, I am sick of the bullying tactics of
Malaysia.

Ever since our independence, Malaysian politicians have blamed
Singapore for its troubles and for anything at all!

We were even blamed for not helping them in this time of economic
crisis.

It is as though we do not have problems of our own.

Among other things, they conjured up stories of us violating their
airspace. Now, they are threatening to mobilise their fighters if they
detect our "intrusions" of Malaysian airspace.

Is it not time for Singapore to take a tougher stand against our
northern neighbour?

We cannot let ourselves be used as a punching bag for any Malaysian
politician who wants to score points with his constituents or anyone
who thinks he is toobig for his boots.

We have got to have our national pride as well. We sing "Stand up for
Singapore", so should we not stand up against such bullies as well?
GARY SIM TECK KHER
http://straitstimes.asia1.com/pages/for6_1114.html

[Yap Yok Foo]

From Singapore ST
14th Nov 1998

Jailed for accessing Internet illegally

<Picture>
------------------------------------------------------------------------

A MAN was jailed for three months yesterday for accessing somebody
else's Pacific Internet account, incurring charges of about $40.

Daud Mohamed Saini, 29, a former business development manager,
admitted getting access to the Internet by using Ms Lorna Tan Beng
Choo's Pacific Internet account between May and June last year. A
second similar charge involving $310.50 was considered. He could have
been fined up to $2,000 and jailed for up to two years under the
Computer Misuse Act.
http://straitstimes.asia1.com/

[Yap Yok Foo]

From Singapore ST
14th Nov 1998

Interrogator keeps mum about who his source is

Special Branch officer Mazlan Din was cross-examined by the defence on
his Thursday testimony that a letter, which alleges sexual misconduct
by Anwar Ibrahim, was not circulated widely, and that he had
neutralised Mr Azizan Abu Bakar despite believing his assertion that
he had been sodomised. BRENDAN PEREIRA of the Foreign Desk reports on
yesterday's highlights

'I CANNOT REVEAL MY SOURCES'

LAWYERS from both sides reached for their books on evidence when
Assistant Commissioner of Police Mazlan Din refused to tell the court
who gave him a letter containing allegations against the former Deputy
Prime Minister.

It is his evidence that he had obtained the letter from the source and
his investigation showed that its circulation was not wide.

On the other hand, the defence is arguing that by the time the SB got
hold of the letter, it was being circulated widely.

Therefore, there was no reason for Anwar to have ordered the police to
keep the matter under wraps, as alleged by an earlier witness.

Lawyer Gurbachan Singh wanted to know if the source who gave the
letter to ACP Mazlan was a member of the public.

The witness: "I cannot reveal my sources."

Lawyer: "There is no protection for him."

The prosecution: "He is governed by internal restrictions."

Lawyer: "My question is whether the source from whom you obtained the
letter is a member of the public."

The witness: "I cannot reveal my source because he can be narrowed
down."

The judge: "There are 20 million Malaysians. How can it be narrowed
down?"

The prosecution: "He is governed by the Inspector General's Standing
Orders and the Security Branch manual.

"And these two documents are under the Official Secrets Act.

"Under the SB manual, he is prohibited from saying anything about his
sources."

The lawyer: "We are not asking him to disclose the name or race of the
person."

The prosecution: "It will discourage the public from giving
information to the police."

At this point, Justice Augustine Paul asked the lawyers to check if
the witness was bound by regulations which came under the ambit of the
Official Secrets Act.

If he was, then it would be difficult for him to offer any answers to
questions on sources.

Mr Gurbachan agreed to defer this line of questioning but three
questions later, the same issue cropped up.

The lawyer wanted to know if the person who gave him the letter was
the person who told him that it was, at that time, being sent to the
PM.

The witness: "I cannot say."

The lawyer: "My lord, you should ask him to answer the question.

"I am not even asking him if it is a member of the public."

Justice Paul then reiterated his instruction to both sides to clarify
if ACP Mazlan was precluded from giving answers to such questions.

BELIEF vs PERSONAL KNOWLEDGE

The prosecution witness said that after interrogating Mr Azizan Abu
Bakar, he believed the latter's allegations of having been sodomised
by Anwar.

The lawyer: "Do you agree that your belief could be mistaken?"

The witness: "Even until now, I still believe what I believed when I
interrogated Azizan."

The lawyer: "Please give me a straight answer."

The witness: "No, my belief is not wrong."

The lawyer: "Do you agree you do not know personally as a fact any of
these allegations?"

Justice Paul told the counsel this line of questioning was unnecessary
as it was obvious that ACP Mazlan would not have personal knowledge of
Mr Azizan's allegations against Anwar. He was surprised by the
witness' unsolicited answer.

The witness: "I don't see any difference between personal knowledge
and belief."

Justice Paul then tried to point out that if he witnessed an accident
and passed on that information to ACP Mazlan, it would not mean that
the SB officer had personal knowledge of the accident.

The witness then said he did not see the allegations against the
former DPM taking place with his own eyes.
http://straitstimes.asia1.com/

[Yap Yok Foo]

From Singapore ST
14th Nov 1998

8 killed in Jakarta clashes

Mayhem grips the Indonesian capital as soldiers open fire on students
and other protesters in the largest demonstration against Habibie govt

By SUSAN SIM and DERWIN PEREIRA in JAKARTA

AT LEAST eight people were shot dead by soldiers in clashes yesterday
as Jakartaąs urban poor came out in the hundreds of thousands to join
students in the largest display of anger with the Habibie government.

Soldiers fired volleys of warning shots, tear gas and water cannons at
mobs which, refusing to disperse, taunted them instead with
anti-government chants.

In some clashes, soldiers fired live ammunition into the crowds,
killing give students at two universities and another three people in
a confrontation near the Parliament complex, witnesses and military
officials said yesterday.

Beginning late afternoon, Jakartaąs main artery, Jalan Sudirman, was
rent by the sounds of gun-shots, with some volleys lasting up to two
minutes, the wails of ambulances rushing scores of wounded to
hospital, the defiant shouts of angry crowds and the roar of hovering
helicopters.

Clouds of tear gas fumes hung over the stench of road normally
polluted by diesel fumes from vehicles stuck in gridlock.

Yesterday, the banks and office towers lining the road were closed and
the five-star hotels barricaded as the city shut down.

But the Catholic Atmajaya University near the strategic Semanggi
clover-leaf flyover ­ the nearest road access to the Parliament
complex ­ was a hive of activity as thousands of students protesters
sought sanctuary there after the bullets and tear gas canisters began
flying.

Student leaders said that two were killed and 40 suffered head and leg
wounds from police beatings and bullets.

The military has said soldiers were armed only with rubber bullets,
but reporters found shells from live ammunition outside the campus.

Undeterred by the violence, thousands of onlookers and youths from
neighbouring kampungs, many wearing handkerchiefs over their faces,
continued to defy the soldiers, throwing rocks at truckloads of elite
Kostrad soldiers rushed in.

"Theyąre spoiling for a fight," said a witness.

The official Antara news agency said President B.J. Habibie urged
restraint from protesters.

State Secretary Akbar Tandjung said the president considered
demonstrations an inseparable part of democratic life but protesters
should avoid destructive acts.

In East Jakarta, a 5-km long body of people began a long march towards
the Parliament complex at two in the afternoon.

Led alternately by some 2,000 students and workers, they carried
placards decrying Dr Habibie as one of the former president Suhartoąs
cronies and other anti-government slogans.

Their objective: to stop the special MPR session before its formal
closure and occupy the complex.

"Like in May," said student leader Lisa, referring to the student
occupation in May which hastened Mr Suhartoąs resignation.

At one point, the crowd went past Embassy Row in Jalan Rasuna Said,
said a diplomat, taking 15 minutes to pass his mission.

Soldiers opened road blocks to let them though. But when they reached
the Semanggi flyover at about 7.30 pm, troops fired warning shots.

Many of the estimated 100,000 people then fled into a nearby mosque
and a government research institute.

Alarmed by the possible carnage if the protesters and troops continue
battling, popular Muslim leader Abdurrahman Wahid yesterday afternoon
volunteered to speak to the crowds trying to converge on the
Parliament complex.

He told The Straits Times that he had in the later afternoon asked Gen
Wiranto for a helicopter to fly him and opposition leader Megawati
Soekarnoputri over the crowds so they could appeal to them over
loudhailers to calm down.

"Then we can talk," he said.

General Wiranto, he said, had originally wanted to meet him in his
Defence Ministry headquarters.

But he asked for a helicopter instead.

The generaląs reply was: "Wait, wait."
http://straitstimes.asia1.com/

[Yap Yok Foo]

From Sydney Morning Herald
14th Nov 1998

Massacre at dawn
By LINDSAY MURDOCH

Indonesian soldiers have massacred scores of Irian Jaya villagers and
raped, tortured and drowned many others, according to graphic accounts
from witnesses and church investigators.

The atrocities on the island of Biak, unreported until now, allegedly
began in a dawn raid on July 6 when Indonesian troops were brought in
to crush defiant villagers who had raised the flag of independent West
Papua.

Witnesses said the soldiers, who had arrived from Ambon and other
nearby provinces, opened fire on a crowd of about 200 Irianese
demonstrators as they slept under their striped "morning star" flag
erected on Biak's jetty.

Since then, dozens of bodies have washed up on beaches around the
island, and a task force sent to Biak by the Indonesian Council of
Churches says they are linked to the military's crackdown on
pro-independence supporters.

Church investigators say they have interviewed witnesses who were
among up to 140 Irianese, many of them women and children, taken out
to sea in two Indonesian navy boats and thrown overboard.

Two children who survived after swimming to the coast told
investigators they saw women stripped naked on one of the ships and
raped, according to Rev Phil Erari from the Council of Churches.

Another witness said he was forced to cut up several bodies and put
them in bags which were thrown overboard. The council told the Herald
yesterday that it suspected more than 100 people were killed and
several hundred others injured during a reign of terror by troops on
the island off western New Guinea.

The Indonesian military has claimed that up to 70 bodies washed ashore
were from the tsunami that hit the Papua New Guinea coast 900
kilometres away, two weeks after its soldiers broke up the
demonstration on Biak on July 6.

But church investigators have established bodies were washed up before
the tsunami struck. Two of them were young women found naked on the
shore. A mother was found still clutching her baby.

Human rights groups have received unconfirmed reports of bodies with
their hands tied behind their backs.

An Australian couple, Mr Paul Meixner and Ms Rebecca Casey, who were
in Biak at the time, told the Herald they believed at least 20 people,
some of them women and children, were killed in the initial massacre
under the flag, the emblem of the West Papua independence movement,
which had been flying on a tower on the waterfront for four days.

"The soldiers opened fire without warning," Ms Casey said.

The locals, she said, believed that if the flag flew over Biak for
more than 72 hours, they had obtained their independence. The crowd
had been celebrating on the waterfront the night before the massacre.

A witness, secretly interviewed on tape by Mr Meixner and Ms Casey,
described how about 200 villagers were tortured on the waterfront
before being forced to crawl to the town's police station while
soldiers rifle-butted them.

The torture included villagers being forced to lie looking into the
sun for hours while soldiers walked over their stomachs and faces.
Several people were tied and repeatedly dunked into the sea from Biak
jetty.

Witnesses also told of soldiers going from house to house, shooting
people they suspected of being independence activists.

The Council of Churches said from Jakarta that the extent of the
atrocities had still not been established because villagers were too
afraid to speak out, but "we believe a full impartial investigation
would reveal more than 100 deaths".

The crackdown on Biak came almost two months after President Soeharto
was forced from office, as the new Government in Jakarta was promising
that military atrocities were a thing of the past.

The Indonesian human rights group Kosorairi has told the United
Nations Secretary-General, Dr Kofi Annan, that hundreds of people have
been killed on Biak. It urges the UN to "respond to this type of
barbaric action".

In the Irian Jaya town of Sorong, it claims, "women had been thrown in
the back of a truck and stripped naked and jumped on to by the
soldiers and one died due to internal bleeding because she was
pregnant".

A spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs said the Australian
Government was very concerned about reports of human rights abuses
emerging out of Irian Jaya.

"Despite uncertainty about the facts, there is sufficient evidence to
warrant deep concern," he said.

An Australian army captain assigned to Australia's embassy in Jakarta
reported indications of serious abuses by the military after going to
Biak in early July.

The Foreign Minister, Mr Downer, raised the Government's concern in a
meeting with Indonesia's new President, Dr B.J. Habibie, in Jakarta a
few days after the first reports of a small number of deaths at a
flag-raising on Biak.

But this was before the extent of the atrocities was known and before
bodies had started washing up on the Biak coast.

A diplomat at the United States embassy in Jakarta said he believed
serious human rights violations took place on Biak though "100 deaths
may be a little on the high side".

The diplomat said: "There is ample evidence to warrant a proper
inquiry."
http://www.smh.com.au/index.html

[Yap Yok Foo]

From nst
14th Nov 1998

The world watches
By Shareem Amry

It's being billed "The Greatest Show in Kuala Lumpur".

The trial of ousted Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has
a formidable cast, a tangled plot of sex and politics and an audience
of millions. The whole world, it seems, has tuned in.

Hundreds of foreign journalists have descended on the capital,
churning out reams of copy on events which surely mark a seismic shift
in Malaysia's socio-political landscape.

With the local media accused of parroting the Government's version of
events, many eyes have turned to international reports in the belief
that they may offer a more truthful tale.

Coverage of the trial itself has generally followed the court
happenings, with reports from some 20 newspapers from the United
States, Britain, Hong Kong, Thailand, Australia, the Philippines and
Singapore almost identical in their accounts of each day in court.

But there have been exceptions. On Nov 6, The British newspaper The
Independent ran a story that took subtle liberties with outgoing
Special Branch chief Datuk Mohamed Said Awang's testimony during a
cross-examination by defence counsel Christopher Fernando the day
before.

The article recounted that Mohamed Said was asked if a police report
sent to the Prime Minister in August last year contained a statement
that the allegations against Anwar had been politically motivated.

The story concluded: "He replied 'I don't deny it,' and also conceded
that (Special Functions Minister Tun) Daim Zainuddin, a rival of Mr
Anwar and a close aide to Mr Mahathir, may have been involved in
cooking up the sodomy allegations."

That one line suggests that the allegations were indeed false, and
that Daim had been involved in "cooking" them up, arguments which have
yet to be proven in court.

It could perhaps be a minor point, one that could be explained more as
differences in journalistic approach, rather than the existence of any
hidden agenda.

Headlines for trial-related stories have also been pointedly different
from the ones favoured by local newspapers.

<Picture>

A sampling includes: "Push and shove politics on trial," and, "I'd lie
if ordered: Anwar witness". Others are more misleading, such as this
heading that ran over a Financial Times story on Oct 28: "Malaysia
police target children in protests".

The international outrage this case has provoked is more clearly
voiced in a number of commentaries and editorials that have been
published overseas.

In an editorial entitled "A Whiff Of Stalinism - Anwar's trial may be
little more than a judicial farce" published in The Times on Nov 3,
the writer speaks disparagingly of judge Augustine Paul's refusal to
grant observer status to a number of human rights and legal groups
that showed up outside the court on the trial's first day.

"Mahathir Mohamad is determined, it seems, to have a show trial and
will allow no check on a manipulation of justice that has more than a
whiff of Stalinism about it," the editorial said.

It went on to dismiss the trial as a judicial farce orchestrated by a
Prime Minister who had "begun to see himself as indispensable," and
who had "looked for a scapegoat when things went wrong".

A recent New York Times editorial headlined "Malaysia on Trial" ran
along the same lines, and called the charges facing Anwar
"questionable."

"The more likely reason for his arrest is that Prime Minister Mahathir
Mohamad, worried by the fall of President Suharto in Indonesia, felt
threatened by Anwar's popularity and reform agenda," it said.

The volley of criticism isn't coming just from the Western media. A
similarly stinging indictment of Malaysia's state of affairs came from
a commentary carried by Philippines' Manila Times on Nov 6.

"The sodomy charges against Anwar are obviously designed first and
foremost to destroy Anwar's moral credentials to lead the Reformasi -
the reform movement against corruption, cronyism and oppression in
Malaysia.

"To Mahathir, the overriding goal is to destroy Anwar morally. That is
why the charges against Anwar have nothing to do with graft in
government transactions, but with sexual misconduct that is
expressedly condemned in the Koran," it ran.

Because of its political ramifications, Anwar's trial has undeniably
raised long-simmering questions about the credibility of the country's
fundamental institutions: the political leadership, the judiciary, the
police; indeed, Malaysia's very claim of democratic being.

It is also true that the way events have played out - Anwar's dramatic
arrest, the street demonstrations and the now infamous black eye, to
name a few - has cast the Government in a harsh light.

"(Anwar's) fall was as swift as it was brutal: a gang of masked
anti-terrorist police smashing their way into his suburban home last
night while thousands of supporters gathered in a futile show of
support," ran a story published in Australia's The Age on Sept 22.

The temptation to distill all these tumultuous events into a tale of
David versus Goliath, new versus old, good versus evil, may be
difficult to resist.

But the tone of the editorials and commentaries, though they raise
some valid issues and concerns, suggests that the international media
have come here with their minds already made up.

These preconceptions may be making that inexorable journey to becoming
truth not through investigation, but through the process of
re-telling.

Local reporters meanwhile, who have found their credibility
questioned, have their own tales to tell. Some have been snubbed by
their foreign counterparts. One had her casual encounter with a BBC
journalist turned into a story she says never happened.

"A BBC film crew talking to Anwar sympathisers outside the High Court
shared the comments with a friendly reporter from the New Straits
Times," a recent BBC report ran.

"Yet when her report appeared in the newspaper, the comments had been
amended to suggest that a man with fiercely anti-government views was
some sort of racist."

The reporter recalls the incident very differently: "They did not
share the comments with me, I only double-checked the name of the
person we spoke to," she says. "And I paraphrased the man's comments,
but did not twist what he said, as they have suggested."

Other local journalists have been staggered to find themselves talking
to "parachute reporters" who arrived here with little or no knowledge
of this trial's background or context.

One even confused the jailing of Lim Guan Eng for publishing false
news with Lim Kit Siang.

"A number of foreign journalists covering the trial are actually
freelancers who may, to stay employed, be compelled to spice up their
reports," a senior Malaysian editor noted.

"Others have never been to Malaysia before. Some decided to come early
for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit so that they can file
a few stories on the trial," he said.

The foreign media coverage of the trial, however, is not all blatantly
anti-Government, although, the editor added, some reports "seem more
devoted to describing the trial than reporting it".

Such descriptive prose appears more frequently within many editorials
and commentaries, whose tone indicates that most sympathise with the
beleagured ex-DPM.

Still, other perceptive voices are calling our attention to issues
that loom just as large as Anwar and the political aftershocks of his
dismissal and trial.

Referring to Anwar's alleged beating while in custody, a Bangkok Post
commentary published on Oct 5 noted that: "Instances of police
brutality exist in almost every country of Southeast Asia. Human
rights groups and other organisations have been calling for action
against this practice for years.

"The only difference is that the man suffering from this barbaric
behaviour this time is Anwar Ibrahim -- a man recognised in
international circles as representing the emerging, younger generation
Southeast Asian leader...Mr Anwar is a somebody."

An analysis in the same newspaper nine days later picked up the same
thread of concern over national security laws in the region:
"...international disapproval over Mr Anwar's predicament, although
commendable and well-intentioned, is ultimatey misplaced.

"While Mr Anwar is an important catalyst to events in Malaysia, there
are dozens of others being treated similarly...President Habibie of
Indonesia, President Estrada of the Philippines and the deputy foreign
minister of Thailand who have all made public statements of
disapproval also have their own versions of national security laws,"
it said.

Where does this media frenzy leave the readers, who every day scour
the newspapers and the Internet for new nuggets of information?

Preconceptions may ultimately guide judgement in the court of public
opinion. Others, faced with tonal differences in news reports, may
choose to believe that the truth lies somewhere in between.
http://www.nstpi.com.my/nst

[The Judge]

ya..ya...ya....

Yap Yok Foo wrote in message <364f1784...@news.jaring.my>...

>From Singapore ST
>14th Nov 1998
>

[Bad Boy]

Yap Yok Foo wrote:
>
> From The Financial Times, UK
> 14th Nov 1998

> APEC: Leaders can avoid summit fiasco ?
--------
> They must look for a credible way out of the economic crisis

> that has hit Asia over the past 18 months.

The leaders cannot even agree with the cause of our problems. Hong
Kong and
Malaysia in one camp. USA, Canada and Australia in another. The rest
are
confused. They will give speeches and talk at different wave-length.
SAD!
---------
> The US and Australia are atloggerheads with Japan over its refusal to
> free trade in forestry and fishery products.

The US, Australia and Japan are more interested in looking after the
own
interests. They are not really interested in the problems of SE Asian
countries.
FACT!
---------------
> Mahathir, Malaysia's controversial prime minister, is a not suitable chairman.

He wil not be respected. Can he control and direct the meeting? The
meeting will turn into a fiasco. It will be known as
"The APEC fiasco at KL".

--------------
> In that climate it is difficult to make progress with the group's economic agenda.

What agenda ? It has long been forgotten. The political issues will
hog the meeting over the economic mission of APEC.

----------------
> Others want reform of the world financial system. Several Asian countries

> expected to call for better surveillance of financial markets and regulation of
> short-term capital flows.

Fat hope of acheiving this. Why should the USA give up an advantage ?
-----------------

> The meeting could then break up in disarray.

No. They will hold hands and take a group photo. This was the great
achievement of the
last APEC meeting. Why should it be any better this time ?
-------------------

[Bad Boy]

Yap Yok Foo wrote:
>
> From Singapore ST
> 14th Nov 1998

> We cannot let ourselves be used as a punching bag for any Malaysian

> politician who wants to score points with his constituents.

> We have got to have our national pride as well. We sing "Stand up for
> Singapore", so should we not stand up against such bullies as well?
>
GARY SIM TECK KHER
>

Mr. Sim,

Such patriotic sentiments are admirable. It arouse my pride, my blood
to do the honourable thing. Kill the enemy ! Hitler was able to stir
such blind feelings for Germany.

You are right. The Malaysian unscrupulous politicians are the ones who
said
and did shitty things to Singapore. Singapore politicians are not
innocent either. But they are all politicians.

In Singapore and Malaysia, there are millions of common folks who want
to earn an honest living and to enjoy peaceful life. They are not
always
interested in what the politicians do or say. They have not insulted
us and they have not done us any harm.

If by 'stand up' you mean doing something more than just words, the
two countries will do stupid things. Who will suffer ? We the common
folks will have to stay and suffer the consequences. There are so
many examples in the world.

The politicians can always seek asylum in other countries.

Yes, you can punish the politician without harming us, the common folk.
Put out a contract on him. It is cheap and effective.

But then, I think you are sane.

[Fearless]

On Sat, 14 Nov 1998 05:40:23 GMT, yf...@pop.jaring.my (Yap Yok Foo)
wrote:

>From Singapore ST
>14th Nov 1998
>

>It's time to stand up to Malaysia
>
>IN MEDIA reports, it is always "Malaysia warns Singapore" or "Malaysia
>wants Singapore to..." Frankly, I am sick of the bullying tactics of
>Malaysia.

Your old donkey deserved for this bully. GCT and other dictators in
ASEAN have given full consent to Mahathir's barbarian rules.

Don't be blinded drag in whole malaysians into this furor with your
old donkey (Lau Lee). He is trying to divert Anwar saga from domestic
attention to your pity man.

>
>Ever since our independence, Malays ian politicians have blamed

>Singapore for its troubles and for anything at all!

LKY's memoirs have blamed UMNO man for the troubles. Get the facts
straight.

>
>We were even blamed for not helping them in this time of economic
>crisis.

You get blame not because your are not helping other ppl, but is to
push your neighbor into more troubled water through your kiasu's
policy.

>
>It is as though we do not have problems of our own.

Solve it with your fire-fighting salary cutting policies. Stupid and
short-sighted idea... Anyone would know the labor cost is damned small
portion compared with fixed costs like equipment and utility in your
semi-matured industry. After all cutting utility cost is tantamount to
taking away PAP's government main income earner. Hey... Asking those
simpleton kinda workers to sacrifice for nothing.

>
>Among other things, they conjured up stories of us violating their
>airspace. Now, they are threatening to mobilise their fighters if they

>detect our "intrusions" of Malaysian airspace. ntamony

Since Hamid was being condemned for not being able to produce hard
evidence to support his accusations, now he want to give you the best
evidence - a wreckage with SAF insignia. Your ppl ask for it.....!!

>
>Is it not time for Singapore to take a tougher stand against our
>northern neighbour?

Start sending your four-eye NS man to our land ?

You have only one choice in your hand, don't lend out money to
Mahathir's regime, but he will not the new water agreement. This a
KIASU's dilemma...Cheers

>
>We cannot let ourselves be used as a punching bag for any Malaysian

>politician who wants to score points with his constituents or anyone
>who thinks he is toobig for his boots.

Ask Tony Tan to issue same statement if your PAP doggies want to use
that cheap tactics like Hamid. BTW, this article appeared in ST indeed
a cheap tactic by PAP.

>ot to have our national pride as well. We sing "Stand up for
>Singapore", so should we not stand up against such bullies as well?
>GARY SIM TECK KHER

This PAP's fella employed by BT is playing the same old trick like
UMNO man here. Stand up your little brother too.... Cheers !!!

>http://straitstimes.asia1.com/pages/fin STor6_1114.html

[Yap Yok Foo]

From The Australian
15th Nov 1998

Police fire warning shots at Kuala Lumpur rally
By ALVIN UNG of AP

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia: Malaysian police fired warning shots into the
air late today, triggering a stampede among 2,000 protesters demanding
an end to Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's 17-year rule.

Many in the crowd started running down a side street after hearing the
shooting. Witnesses said they were chasing the three officers who had
fired their guns, adding that about three to four shots appeared to
have been fired.

There were no immediate reports of injuries, as the anti-government
rally turned into chaos, with many fleeing in panic and others hurling
stones at police officers.

"Mahathir is power-crazy," said one banner. Another read "APEC, help
us" in reference to the Pacific rim summit meeting being held in the
Malaysian capital next week.

One group burned a large portrait of the prime minister, as fellow
demonstrators blocked a traffic intersection nearby. Hundreds of
people held aloft banners demanding the resignation of Mahathir, who
is Asia's longest-serving leader.

Several protesters pounded their fists on a stopped van, after its
driver got out and started complaining about the demonstration. He
jumped back in and drove off without being hurt.

There were no other reports of any disturbances in the rally, which
took place in the Kampong Baru section of the capital.

Many of the protesters were shouting "reforms, reforms," while others
screamed "God is great".

Cars driving by honked their horns and waved in approval, as the
demonstration remained predominantly peaceful though noisy. There was
only a minimal police presence nearby.

The government has flooded Kuala Lumpur with 5,700 police and security
officers, to quash any trouble during next week's summit of the
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) group.

Today's rally was held after prayers at the Kampong Baru mosque, where
last month the country's first violent protest in nearly three decades
erupted between anti-government demonstrators and police.

Prime Minister Mahathir, the host of next week's summit, has said he
expected pro-Anwar rallies to break out in the coming days.

Anwar is on trial for abuse of power, sodomy and other sexual
misconduct allegations. He has firmly denied all the charges.

"The laws of Malaysia have been sodomised," read one of the banner's
in tonight's protest.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/

[Yap Yok Foo]

From Sydney Morning Herald
15th Nov 1998

Five die in street protests
By LOUISE WILLIAMS, Herald Correspondent in Jakarta

Five people were reportedly killed and scores injured after riot
troops and tanks rammed student lines in at least three locations in
Jakarta, but tens of thousands of protesters armed with rocks and
sticks continued to ring the parliament in a tense stand-off late last
night.

An ABC TV crew was beaten with sticks by security forces. They were
not seriously injured, but their camera was smashed.

Witnesses said tanks charged thousands of students in the main city
thoroughfare and opened fire with rubber bullets, tear gas and water
cannon, forcing protesters into the campus of the Atma Jaya Christian
University. A witness reported six truckloads of riot troops charging
a crowd of about 15,000 students and bystanders, firing into the crowd
from their trucks.

Witnesses said three people - two students and a bystander - had been
killed and at least 23 injured in the assault.

Local radio reported that troops killed two residents at Chawang in
East Jakarta, where local people were also facing riot troops.

The radio said that at least one Indonesian journalist had been shot
dead.

At the elite housing area and shopping area of Senayan, at least 30
university students were shot by riot troops and hundreds more beaten.
Red Cross teams were treating victims on classroom floors at the
nearby Moestopo University.

About 8,000 students were still facing riot troops outside and student
representatives said they were meeting to decide whether to attempt a
new push towards parliament.

The protesters were calling for President B.J. Habibie to step down
and challenging the legitimacy of the People's Consultative Assembly,
which was meeting to draw up new political laws for the country.

President Habibie was due to preside over the closing ceremony of a
four-day "special session" of the assembly.

On the western approach to the parliament thousands of angry local
residents were walking towards police lines, gathering rock and
sticks, and shouting insults at security forces.

As well as last night's reported deaths, two students are believed to
have died yesterday morning from injuries sustained on Thursday night.
One police officer was also reported to have died after Thursday's
violence and at least 120 students were being treated in hospital.

The 1,000-member People's Consultative Assembly was due to sign 12
decrees late last night which will dismantle Mr Soeharto's
authoritarian political system and make way for democratic elections
next year.

However, student protesters and thousands of members of the public who
have joined the marches this week are challenging the legitimacy of
the assembly, because it was formed under Mr Soeharto and is dominated
by his former political allies.

Early this morning local radio reported student leaders were calling
on members of the public to join them in central Jakarta to make a new
attempt to march on parliament. The reports put the crowd at 100,000.

In Ujung Pandang, the capital of the island of Sulawesi, some 200
students yesterday protested against the assembly meeting by occupying
an airport runway, officials said.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/9811/14/world/world1.html

[Yap Yok Foo]

From Australian
15th Nov 1998

More die in Jakarta showdown

THE death toll in violent street clashes between student protesters
and Indonesian troops and police rose to at least 12 yesterday.

In addition, at least 300 people were reported injured.

The Indonesian capital, Jakarta, remained tense and chaotic yesterday.

A spokesman at the Cipto Mangunkusumo state hospital said its morgue
had received the bodies of eight people, at least five of them
students.

Under the banner headline "Black Friday", Jakarta Post reporters
described the clashes as a "bloody massacre" instigated by the
soldiers.

An Indonesian radio reporter described soldiers firing into masses of
thousands of protesters.

"It was like a film in which soldiers fired into masses of people
condemned to death," he said.

News reporters said some of the soldiers had dropped into the kneeling
position to get a more steady and accurate aim at the protesters.

It was not immediately clear if the soldiers had used live ammunition
or rubber- coated riot-control bullets, which do not usually kill
unless fired at close range.

Indonesian police spokesman Brig-Gen Togar Sianipar said: "So far we
have not used live ammunition."

But the military declined to comment.

On Thursday, at least two people were killed and more than 130
protesters injured in clashes with government security forces.

Witnesses and student activists said some of those killed yesterday
were shot at close range as troops fired indiscriminately into the
protesters, who numbered in the tens of thousands.

The clashes were the bloodiest since former president Suharto was
ousted after rioting in May, when almost 1200 people died.

Student activists vowed they would continue their protests against the
just- concluded special session of the People's Consultative Assembly,
the highest legislative body in the nation.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/

[Yap Yok Foo]

From BBC News
15th Nov 1998

Canada snubs Malaysia over Anwar

Mr Anwar's wife is pressing her husband's case

The wife of former Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has
met a delegation of Canadian Government ministers who are in Malaysia
for a meeting of the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation (Apec) forum.

Canadian Foreign Minister Lloyd Axworthy and Trade Minister Sergio
Marchi met Azizah Ismail at a hotel in a show of solidarity with Mr
Anwar, who Mr Axworthy described as a political detainee.

Malaysia had warned ministers attending the summit not to interfere in
Malaysia's affairs.

After the meeting Azizah Ismail said: "We're very happy and
encouraged."

She is also scheduled to meet the American Secretary of State,
Madeleine Albright, in what will be interpreted as another gesture of
support for Mr Anwar.

<Picture><Picture>US analyst Adam Schwarz: Anwar has some high-placed
friends in the USCommenting on Ms Albright's planned meeting,
Malaysian Foreign Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said: "She is here as
our guest. She should know what to do as our guest."

Legal challenge

On Friday, Mr Anwar's lawyers filed a legal challenge over his sacking
by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.

They said the dismissal was an abuse of power by Dr Mahathir because
only Malaysia's king, Yang di-Pertuan, has the power to formally fire
ministers.

<Picture: [ image: Security is tight for the Apec summit in Kuala
Lumpur]>Security is tight for the Apec summit in Kuala LumpurWhen Mr
Anwar was sacked in early September, Dr Mahathir described him as
being morally unfit to perform his duties.

Mr Anwar's trial on charges of corruption and sexual misconduct has
been put on hold for the duration of the Apec summit.

So far only seven of the 52 prosecution witnesses have taken the stand
since the trial began on 2 November.

At least three leaders due to attend the Apec meeting, including US
President Bill Clinton, have said they will not meet Dr Mahathir for
bilateral talks in protest at the treatment of Mr Anwar, who appeared
in court with a black eye after he was arrested on 20 September.

Apec foreign and trade ministers opened the talks in Kuala Lumpur on
Saturday. The leaders of the 21 Pacific Rim nations are due to meet
next week to discuss the current Asian economic crisis and global
economic issues.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/asia-pacific/newsid_214000/214220.stm

[Yap Yok Foo]

From CNN
15th Nov 1998

Malaysian protesters rally as APEC officials gather

Malaysian protester burns a picture of Mahathir  
November 14, 1998
Web posted at: 1:12 p.m. EST (1812 GMT)

In this story:

•Canadians meet with Anwar's wife
•Clinton, Albright due to arrive
•Japan, U.S. split on tariff cuts
•Mahathir derides currency speculators
•Related stories and sites

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) -- As officials from 20 Pacific Rim
nations met here Saturday to discuss Asia's financial crisis, hundreds
of people demonstrated against the Malaysian government.

Defying the 5,700 police and security officers who have been stationed
in the capital, more than 500 people rallied in downtown Kuala Lumpur
to criticize Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.

Shouting slogans and carrying banners saying "Mahathir is power
crazy," the protesters criticized his treatment of Anwar Ibrahim, the
deputy prime minister who was fired two months ago, then jailed after
launching a nationwide reform movement.

No violence was reported, and the protest didn't immediately spread
from the neighborhood where it began.

Canadians meet with Anwar's wife

Mahathir is determined to prevent Anwar's struggle from becoming a
focus of this week's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit meeting.
But as officials from other governments met over the weekend to
prepare for the meeting, several of them went out of their way to
sympathize with Anwar.

 ALSO:Fish tariffs take APEC officials into choppy seas

Politics and trade row blow apart Pacific Rim unity

Two top Canadian officials met Saturday with Anwar's wife, Azizah
Ismail, who has become the de facto leader of his pro-reform movement
since he was jailed and put on trial on corruption and sex charges
that he vehemently denies.

Canada's foreign minister, Lloyd Axworthy, and its international trade
minister, Sergio Marchi, invited Azizah to lunch between their
meetings with other APEC officials.

"It's important that these meetings take into account seriously the
changes that are going on, and the impact on the Malaysian people. And
it's important that APEC addresses some of these issues," Axworthy
said after the luncheon.

"We have been meeting with a number of people to get a briefing on
what the situation is, (and) expressed concerns with the treatment of
Anwar and others detained."

Anwar, also ousted as finance minister, claims he was beaten by police
before his trial started. And pictures of him walking into his trial
with a black eye have been seen in newspapers and television
broadcasts around the world.

Clinton, Albright due to arrive

Some APEC leaders, including U.S. President Bill Clinton, have said
they won't meet privately with Mahathir during the summit because of
what has happened in Malaysia.

<Picture: APEC ministers>APEC officials prepare for summit  

Azizah also plans to meet with U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine
Albright, who was to arrive in Malaysia Saturday night.

The Malaysian government said Saturday that Albright should not meddle
in Malaysia's internal affairs by meeting with Azizah.

Malaysia's Foreign Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Albright "will
be here as a guest and she should know what to do." Speaking to
Malaysia's government news agency, he also said: "Foreign officials
and leaders attending the APEC meetings should not interfere in
Malaysia's affairs."

Australian Prime Minister John Howard, who was to arrive in Malaysia
Sunday, said he may meet with Azizah, too.

Japan, U.S. split on tariff cuts

Meanwhile, APEC Cabinet ministers met Saturday to discuss a deal to
cut tariffs on $1.5 trillion in global trade, but Japan and the United
States remained deeply divided over a key provision, officials said.

The United States believes such a step to promote freer trade would
send a strong signal that Asian nations are not turning inward,
despite their worst economic crisis in 50 years.

But Japan has just as adamantly argued that it is in no position to
cut border taxes in two sensitive areas -- forestry products and fish
-- at a time when its economy is in recession.

The original aim was to have the tariff reductions in nine sectors
effective by 2002, as a start toward APEC's ultimate goal of a free
trade area in the Pacific by 2020. But that was before Japan and the
United States, the world's two largest economies, began arguing over
some provisions.

A Japanese news agency, which obtained a draft of the APEC group's
final statement, reported that it urges APEC to deal urgently with the
global crisis and to closely examine the operations of the world's
secretive and risky hedge funds.

Investments by the funds have been blamed for the some of the wild
fluctuations in Asia's currency and stock markets.

Mahathir derides currency speculators

Mahathir said in an interview with a government news agency that he
will take his biggest pet complaint to APEC leaders: currency
speculators. Mahathir has made it clear that international controls on
foreign currency trading will be on the agenda of the APEC summit next
Tuesday and Wednesday.

"We cannot miss even one international forum and let it go without our
bringing to their attention the problem raised by currency
speculation," Mahathir said.

APEC is composed of Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong
Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand,
Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and the
United States.

Russia, Peru and Vietnam will also join at this summit.
http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/asiapcf/9811/14/apec.02.ap/

[Yap Yok Foo]

From NST
15th Nov 1998

Sudden resurgence of interest in Anwar trial
By Carolyn Hong

KUALA LUMPUR, Sat. - The Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim trial is undoubtedly
gripping but as the first week went by, the crowd outside the
courthouse nevertheless slowly dwindled.

This was only to be expected as things settled down to a routine and
the initial excitement died down.

But surprisingly, the Monday which opened the second week saw a sudden
resurgence in public interest. Early Monday morning, the line had
already snaked some 60-people long. The earliest among them arrived
before the sun.

Those who failed to get in continued to wait in line, undaunted for
another five hours, sitting on the floor and chatting among themselves
to while the long hours away. The first 20 of them would get in for
the afternoon session.

This scene was repeated daily, although the people must have realised
by then that there aren't more than 20 places for ordinary members of
the public.

And unlike the week before where the queue comprised mainly blonde
representatives of international organisations, the queues this week
were made up of dark-haired Malaysians.

The sudden spurt of interest is rather baffling, as the trial hasn't
actually become particularly fascinating and the novelty should be
wearing off.

Some of those lining up were law students, for whom the trial was the
best place to learn how a court works.

A few others said they were there because they had known a member of
the extensive Anwar Ibrahim family at some point in time.

Some obviously knew Anwar personally. These, he greeted briefly when
he entered court everyday. Once, he cheekily murmured "Reformasi" and
lifted his fist almost imperceptibly in greeting.

But the others were just regular members of the public, very much like
those in line at the post office or bank.

The lucky ones who managed to enter the courtroom generally wore
beaming smiles, giggling as they scurried past seated reporters to
join a friend who had entered earlier.

Those who come in alone look bemused, trying to find a space in the
very crowded public gallery.

Being the last to enter, they usually end up perched at the edge of
benches which can seat four, but are pressed into taking five.
Sometimes in a pinch, it even miraculously seats seven. This often
happens at the family section.

For most, their high point of the day is craning their necks to watch
Anwar enter the courtroom from the basement lock-up. Some jumped to
their feet for a better view, staring with unabashed curiosity.

Their enthusiasm would cool down very rapidly once the hearing began.
For sure, the hearing isn't an LA Law episode and for most times, it
isn't even as exciting as a local TV drama.

For one, the practice of the judge taking down notes by hand forces
proceedings to a slow pace, much to the relief of reporters who also
have to take notes. But this doesn't quite set the scene for lawyers
to fire questions at witnesses, as TV lawyers do, or for witnesses to
make quick come-backs, as TV witnesses do.

Courtroom questions often revolve around finicky details, like time
and place, rather than dramatic moments. Lawyers may thunder their
questions, but witnesses are wont to mutter their answers.

It's therefore no surprise to see the initial eager-beavers nodding
off very quickly in the closed, warm courtroom and to see their relief
when the court decides to take a break.

This is especially so with the smokers, including those among the
lawyers and witnesses. The corridor outside the courtroom is hazy with
cigarette smoke as they rush out at each break, barely waiting for the
judge to leave.

When they were not falling asleep, some bored people took to
whispering witticisms about the witnesses' answers.

Only a few "lucky" ones got to see some action last week, including
the much-talked about demonstration of an interrogation technique
starring DSP Abdul Aziz Hussin of the Special Branch.

To recap, it was a hot sleepy afternoon and the evidence being heard
was less than exciting. In fact, it was tediously dull ... until the
moment when Abdul Aziz let out a shout which shook the courtroom.

"Look here!", he thundered at Raja Aziz Addruse, Anwar's leading
counsel, slamming the witness stand and pointing at the small-framed
lawyer. He was showing how he could suggest physical threats to people
he interrogated.

If Raja Aziz was startled, the rest of the courtroom was even more so,
including the judge who said later: "Saya pun takut" (I am also
frightened).

The moment came so fast and sudden that reporters the next day
variously reported hearing the shout as "Look Up", "You Diam", "Look
Here", "Buka", "Wake Up" and even "Hey You!".

But the melodrama in a court hearing comes only in small bites,
competing with huge doses of very detailed evidence. While the former
lightens up the day, it's the latter which moves the trial along.
http://www.nstpi.com.my/nst

[The Judge]

Tembak lagi lar..
Rakyat Indonesia ramai sangat tuh..

Kurang-kurang 20 juta lagi boleh di bunuh apa... tu baru 10 % apa...
kan..

Yap Yok Foo wrote in message <364f1c7...@news.jaring.my>...

[shufiyan shukur]

the next shot might rip through someone's body...
...we hope this will never happen, but situation seems to get
increasingly tense in kg baru where mat spanas eagerly await for
opportunities to whack cops....
hey reformists....take your protest to petaling street for a change...

[sbjar...@zhid.orgy]

Canada prefers to support anti-muslim factions, and prefrs to support
JEW murderers and their foul country of Israel.

Canada even supplies flase Canadian passports to MOSSAD, regularly!!!

On Thu, 05 Nov 1998 14:42:26 GMT, gol...@gehenna.org wrote:

>Since in WWII, the JEW Zionists were allied to the Nazis, your comment
>is incorrect.
>
>
>2 spies for the JEW Mossad terrorist organisation tried last Thursday
>to murder Hamas leader Khaled Meshal, in Jordan.
>
>According to news reports, the 2 criminals, using Canadian passports,
>used some form of injecting device when they tried to murder the
>popular Hamas chief.
>
>The Candian government is trying to distance itself from the criminalk
>activities of the Israeli Mossad, but it is presently unclear whether
>the Jew terrorists were in fact Canadians, or whether the canadian
>government is again issuing false passports, as it did for the 6 CIA
>agents in Tehran under Joe Clark!!!
>
>One MUST wonder, what is the active involvement of the Canadian
>Government in the worldwide terrorism of the JEWS???
>
>In a strange twist to this story, the JEWS released another Hamas
>leader from the prison in Israel, and then deported him to Jordan.At
>the same time, the media report that Israel provided the antidote to
>the poison used by the spies on Meshal in their murder attempt.
>
>
>On 5 Nov 1998 07:54:40 GMT, mor...@vcn.bc.ca (Michael Morbius) wrote:
>
>>IIRC Mossad didn't have our permission to use those passports.
>>
>>Anyway, don't they kill Nazis? Isn't that a good thing?
>>
>>Mike

On Sun, 15 Nov 1998 00:19:28 GMT, yf...@pop.jaring.my (Yap Yok Foo)
wrote:

>From BBC News

>15th Nov 1998
>
>Canada snubs Malaysia over Anwar
>
>Mr Anwar's wife is pressing her husband's case
>
>The wife of former Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has
>met a delegation of Canadian Government ministers who are in Malaysia
>for a meeting of the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation (Apec) forum.
>
>Canadian Foreign Minister Lloyd Axworthy and Trade Minister Sergio
>Marchi met Azizah Ismail at a hotel in a show of solidarity with Mr
>Anwar, who Mr Axworthy described as a political detainee.
>

>Malaysia had warned ministers attending the summit not to interfere in
>Malaysia's affairs.
>

[sac...@pc.jaring.my]

shu...@pc.jaring.my (shufiyan shukur) wrote:

>the next shot might rip through someone's body...
>...we hope this will never happen,

I share your hope.

> but situation seems to get
>increasingly tense in kg baru

Indeed. I was rather surprised at the depth of ill feeling that
people volunteered when I visited Kg. Baru recently. Judging from
the remarks people offered, it would seem that police efforts have
been somewhat counterproductive in this area. I suspect that they
could serve their cause better with a gentle hand, as a firm grip
seems to push people away from them.

However, it should be noted that further afield, such as Pahang, the
police efforts seem to be viewed in a more positive light, even to
the extent of encouragement.

> where mat spanas eagerly await for
>opportunities to whack cops....

Somehow I doubt that as many people as you suggest are eager to bring
rocks to a gunfight.

>hey reformists....take your protest to petaling street for a change...

??? I hope that you are not advocating an unlawful assembly?

Cheers

Paul Saccani
Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia

[sac...@pc.jaring.my]

G'day,

yf...@pop.jaring.my (Yap Yok Foo) wrote:

>From The Australian
>15th Nov 1998

>Police fire warning shots at Kuala Lumpur rally
>By ALVIN UNG of AP

>KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia: Malaysian police fired warning shots into the
>air late today, triggering a stampede among 2,000 protesters demanding
>an end to Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's 17-year rule.

This is a very bad practice indeed. Police (or anyone else for that
matter) should not fire warning shots, and if they do, they certainly
should not fire them into the air. The bullets came down again with
about 90% of their muzzle velocity, base downwards and can land on
peoples heads, usually killing them. It is highly unlikely that
anyone other than someone unconnected to the policemans distress would
be a victim of this, as the bullets tend to come down 3 to 4
kilometers from where they are fired.

The weapon should only be used by being aimed and fired at the centre
of mass of someone who presents an imminent threat to life or limb,
and only when the use of lethal force can be justified.

Firearms are not toys.

In many parts of the world with a reputation for firearms violence,
such as lebanon (before 1990), Los Angeles, etc... more people are
killed acidently by "celebratory" bullets than by deliberate acts
(firing in the air for celebration, rather than trying to harm
someone).

[sac...@pc.jaring.my]

yf...@pop.jaring.my (Yap Yok Foo) wrote:

>[investors in]
>Malaysian listed companies, are scrambling to meet a Dec 1...
>...deadline specified in a new Malaysian... ...law.

>Under the new rule, all foreigners holding Kuala Lumpur-listed stocks
>will have up to that date to register their shares under their own
>names with Malaysian-based authorised depository agents (ADA).
[or risk forfiture]

And this will attract my investment in Malaysia? Rather than shooting
oneself in the foot, this would seem more like a determination to
shoot oneself in the head

[sub...@my-dejanews.com]

In article <364f0209...@news.jaring.my>,

shu...@pc.jaring.my (shufiyan shukur) wrote:
> the next shot might rip through someone's body...

The day a Policeman/SB turn-over specialist takes a shot into an innocent
civilians body and claims that his life was in danger because she was
protesting, is the day when I get mad, not to mention millions of outraged
Malaysians.

> ...we hope this will never happen, but situation seems to get
> increasingly tense in kg baru where mat spanas eagerly await for
> opportunities to whack cops....

Your lily livered cops never attack armed insurgents, only women, kids and
skinny little students who are running away from them.

> hey reformists....take your protest to petaling street for a change...
>

My dear crony/family member of UMNO, why don't you organize a little support
marchi in favour of corruption, cronyism and nepotism ?

Subir De.

-----------== Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==----------
http://www.dejanews.com/ Search, Read, Discuss, or Start Your Own

[michael]

In article <364f0209...@news.jaring.my> shu...@pc.jaring.my writes:
>
>the next shot might rip through someone's body...

>...we hope this will never happen, but situation seems to get
>increasingly tense in kg baru where mat spanas eagerly await for
>opportunities to whack cops....

>hey reformists....take your protest to petaling street for a change...

If we look at the Reuterpic, we can understand why the
police lifted his revolver/pistol and fired the warning
shot.

It appears he was being roughed up by the crowd.

regards,
michael ... afn2...@afn.org

[michael]

In article <72nhuq$e...@news2.jaring.my> paul.s...@online.po.my writes:
[deleted]

>matter) should not fire warning shots, and if they do, they certainly
>should not fire them into the air. The bullets came down again with
>about 90% of their muzzle velocity, base downwards and can land on

[deleted]

90%?
no... I don't agree.

Bullets falling down will be at terminal velocity,
certainly nowhere near the supersonic speed when they
are first fired. :)

regards,
michael ... afn2...@afn.org

[Hann Wei Toh]

michael wrote:
> If we look at the Reuterpic, we can understand why the
> police lifted his revolver/pistol and fired the warning
> shot.
>
> It appears he was being roughed up by the crowd.

Well, the police should know that planting such agents will only serve
to cause a stronger reaction in case of failure. And from the vast
number of detailed reports that have appeared in the mass media
(probably excluding the local ones), the police has been constantly
failing in using such a tactic, though brute force did help them achieve
their objective of crowd dispersion in most cases.

From the observation so far, it appears that some top government
officials intend to continue using the police for suppression, and
neglect their duty of holding conversations with the public that elected
them on issues that have caused much concern. If major injuries were to
occur, the officials will need to bear a substantial portion of the
responsibility. Or are they trading the risk for something that they
value more?

Hann Wei

[Yap Yok Foo]

From Melbourne Age
16th Nov 1998

Clinton's absence torpedoes summit
By MICHAEL GORDON KUALA LUMPUR, SUNDAY.

Hopes of a breakthrough on free trade at Tuesday's summit of
Asia-Pacific leaders were dashed today after the last-minute decision
by the US President, Mr Bill Clinton, to stay in Washington.

Malaysia's Prime Minister, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, condemned the threat
of missile attacks on Iraq and predicted that Mr Clinton's absence
would strengthen the hand of countries opposing the rapid removal of
trade barriers.

Within hours, the prediction was fulfilled when trade and foreign
ministers caved in to Japan's refusal to proceed with removing tariffs
in the forestry and fishery sectors.

Dr Mahathir also set the scene for a tense meeting with the Australian
Prime Minister, Mr John Howard, tomorrow, claiming Australia's
concerns about the treatment of his sacked deputy, Mr Anwar Ibrahim,
were not based on fact. Referring to Mr Howard's repeated concerns
about a ``drift to a more authoritarian approach'' in Malaysia, Dr
Mahathir said he would raise with Mr Howard ``my concerns with people
making decisions without investigating things fully, merely by
depending on media reports which are far from being accurate''.

Mr Clinton's decision not to visit Kuala Lumpur ended any chance of
persuading Japan, the world's second biggest economy, to reconsider
its refusal to accelerate free trade in the two sectors.

Aside from the crisis over Iraq, renewed street violence in Jakarta
and tension over the treatment of Mr Anwar threaten to overshadow the
summit talks of leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
forum.

The US Secretary of State, Dr Madeleine Albright, intended to meet Mr
Anwar's wife, Dr Wan Azizah, to stress US concern over Mr Anwar's
treatment. Dr Azizah also wants to meet Mr Howard.

The Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Tim Fischer, conceded that Japan's
decision was a setback for Australia, a strong advocate of speeding up
free trade in nine sectors this year.

The decision to pursue reform in the sectors through the World Trade
Organisation was a ``second best'' way forward, but still a way
forward, Mr Fischer said.

Iraq's ostensible surrender yesterday, the fifth in a recurring drama
during the Clinton presidency, disguises an outcome substantially
unlike the earlier ones. This one marked the death throes of an
experiment in compulsory disarmament without conquest.

The ceasefire ending the 1991 Persian Gulf War left economic and
military strangleholds on Iraq: an oil embargo and a United Nations
team charged with expunging whole classes of weapons from Iraq's
arsenal.

For more than seven years, Iraq's President Saddam Hussein has
struggled to break those holds. When the oil embargo survived his last
attempt, on 30 October, he tried to finish off the UN Special
Commission, or UNSCOM, that has been disarming him. Despite his formal
climb-down, American and foreign officials said that effort is
succeeding.

There is almost no one left, in UNSCOM or out, who argues that the
special commission has the means to finish its work against determined
Iraqi efforts to frustrate it. The US priority is to keep the oil
embargo, which restricts Iraq to a minor regional power. For that
UNSCOM need only certify - quite truthfully - that Iraq has not
accounted fully for its ballistic missiles and nuclear, biological and
chemical weapons programs.

Loath though it is to frame it this way, the Clinton administration's
strategic imperative is to manage two kinds of long-term decline in
its position against Iraq. One is the decline of UNSCOM's diplomatic
backing and its daily struggle on the ground in Iraq. The Clinton
administration now shares the view of its Security Council rivals in
Moscow, Beijing and Paris that UNSCOM's reach exceeded its grasp. The
commission tried, in effect, to exercise the privileges of a
conquering power even though President George Bush chose not to topple
Saddam Hussein and remake Iraq on the model of post-war Germany or
Japan.

Much to the commission's chagrin, even its strongest government
sponsors are beginning to speak of UNSCOM in the past tense.

``Disarming Iraq against its will without occupying the country was at
the root of the problem UNSCOM faced,'' said a European diplomat whose
diagnosis matches that of his counterparts in Washington. ``Had the
coalition walked to Baghdad and replaced the government, we could have
concluded UNSCOM's mission in a matter of months. Because we are not
occupying the country, and because the resolutions of the United
Nations all mention the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq,
we have been of the view all along that we can dismantle those weapons
only if there is a degree of Iraqi cooperation.''

A second decline, which began to influence US decision-making more
than a year ago, is the passage of a historical high point of American
influence in the Middle East. While still ``an unrivalled power'' in
the region, as one senior policymaker put it, the United States no
longer can count on ``the Pax Americana that prevailed since the Gulf
War''.

The US supremacy that began the long cat-and-mouse game with Iraq
arose from a unique confluence of favorable events. The aura of
invincible American might, cultivated by the video-minded briefers of
the Persian Gulf War, faded with the ambiguous results of lesser
skirmishes since then. Russia's return to the region - as arms
supplier, debt collector and diplomatic force - revived some of the
great power competition that had disappeared with the Soviet Union's
collapse. And despite the 23 October Israeli-Palestinian accord, the
momentum of America's role as regional peace broker is diminished from
the heady period of the 1991 Madrid summit and the breakthrough deals
of 1993-95 with Jordan and the PLO. Even so, the US position is
improved for the moment in comparison to last winter's similar crisis
with Iraq.

``We've given the diplomatic approach a great deal of time to play
out,'' one White House official said. Expansion of the oil-for-food
program to $A15billion a year, with UN control over Iraqi
expenditures, ``takes away the humanitarian card he was trying to play
last year''. With the Wye River Israeli-Palestinian accord, ``no one
can criticise us for not having made an extraordinary effort to bring
about resumption of the peace process''.

All that made this a good time, by the administration's reckoning, to
reconcile US ends and means in the region without damaging American
credibility or that of the Security Council.

WASHINGTON POST
http://www.theage.com.au/daily/981116/news/news2.html

[Yap Yok Foo]

From Melbourne Age
16th Nov 1998

Protesters, police clash in street skirmishes
By CRAIG SKEHAN SOUTH-EAST ASIA CORRESPONDENT

There was a massive security turnout today for an anti-government
rally following running skirmishes lasting into the early hours of
this morning in which shots were fired and a police motorbike torched.

The night rally was broken up by heavily armed members of the riot
squad, but today's lunchtime protest outside Kuala Lumpur's 88-storey
Petronas Towers complex was harder to control. Riot police used water
cannon to break up the noisy protest by 200 people demanding the
resignation of Malaysia's Prime Minister, Mahathir Mohamad.

The water from the cannon was laced with yellow dye, and police later
searched nearby shopping centres for suspected protesters stained
yellow by the water.

Even so, it was difficult for police to distinguish between several
hundred members of Malaysian and regional non-government organisations
and curious onlookers.

The was also a large foreign media presence and the Malaysian
Government appears to have asked police to avoid violent
confrontations which would distract attention from the APEC trade
liberalisation meeting being held in the capital.

Last night, more than 1000 protesters gathered in the working-class
enclave of Kampong Baru, burning posters of Dr Mahathir.

A group of several hundred tried to march to a nearby five-star hotel
where the US Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright, was due to arrive
for the APEC meeting.

The aim was to lobby the US delegation to maintain pressure on the
Malaysian government over the imprisonment of the sacked Deputy Prime
Minister, Anwar Ibrahim.

However, before the marchers reached the hotel a breakaway group
attacked two policemen at an intersection and set one of their
motorcycles on fire.

Earlier, members of a crowd turned on an undercover policeman who was
posing as a press photographer.

Eyewitnesses said he produced a pistol, fired warning shots and
pointed the weapon at members of the crowd before he fled on foot
after being punched several times.

Also at the weekend, Canada's foreign and trade ministers, Lloyd
Axworthy and Sergio Marchi, met Mr Anwar's wife, Dr Wan Azizah.

She has become a symbolic leader of Malaysia's national political
reform movement since her husband was arrested on what he claims are
politically motivated corruption and sodomy charges.
http://www.theage.com.au/daily/981116/news/news12.html

[Yap Yok Foo]

From The Australian
16th Nov 1998

Mahathir assaults currency trading
By PETER ALFORD South-East Asia correspondent in Kuala Lumpur

IN his strongest attack yet on the international monetary system,
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has urged the abolition of
speculative currency trading.

While insisting Malaysia remained committed to trade liberalisation,
Dr Mahathir said yesterday that currency speculation was an
unacceptable manifestation of globalisation and "we should be prepared
to jettison that expression of the system".

Opening the APEC business summit – the private sector adjunct to the
APEC leaders' and ministers' meetings – Dr Mahathir said the 1997
crash devaluations of East Asian currencies had impoverished the
region. He blamed it on the greed of currency traders.

"What is there to show for the huge trade in currency – 20 times
bigger than world trade? The numbers of people who invest in the hedge
funds and the banks are thousands, as against a world population of 6
billion," he said.

"In contrast, tens of millions of poor workers lose their jobs and are
starving because of currency trading, not to mention the loss of
wealth of many developing countries, which runs into hundreds of
billions."

Dr Mahathir, who shocked world markets in September by pulling
Malaysia's currency out of international trading, also warned that
developing economies could not trust the G7 nations' new enthusiasm
for curbing unregulated hedge funds.

"From past experience, we know they are going to take a long time and
when they decide (on measures) it could possibly be only to their
benefit. Malaysia cannot wait for the ponderous movements of the great
powers," he said.

"Unless they see their own collapse staring them in the eyes – and
they saw this when LTCM (American hedge fund Long Term Credit
Management) failed, they would not do anything. By the time they
decide, it would have been curtains for Malaysia."

Later, Dr Mahathir told journalists he had "very limited expectations"
of the APEC summit and Malaysia's main objective was to persuade
member countries that "anarchical" currency trading should be curbed.

"We would also like to suggest that there should be some meetings that
involve also the developing countries, not just the G7 deciding what
to do about currency trading."

Dr Mahathir said the role of setting the value of national currencies
should be taken out of the hands of currency markets and once again
become a responsibility of governments.

"Governments of powerful countries just cannot abdicate their roles in
determining the exchange rate mechanism. They owe it to their peoples
and their countries to accept the responsibility."

The Prime Minister also reiterated that Malaysia's capital controls
would remain in place "for as long as the world refuses to bring order
to the financial market". He said last week he did not expect this to
happen within three years.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/

[Yap Yok Foo]

From SingaporeST
15th Nov 1998

Chinese should understand Anwar issue'

KUALA LUMPUR -- Former Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Musa Hitam
reminded the Chinese community not to ignore the political issues
centred on Anwar Ibrahim.

In an exclusive interview with the Malaysian Chinese daily, Sin Chew
Jit Poh, he said political problems among the Malays could be turned
into racial issues by irresponsible groups.

He urged the Chinese to understand and be concerned about the issue
but not to intervene.

Tan Sri Musa said an Umno issue could affect the nation's political
stability.

He voiced disappointment over Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir
Mohamad's decision not to appoint a Deputy Prime Minister, a move
which he said would strengthen the stability of the government.

Without a deputy in place, anything that happened between now and the
party election would make everybody nervous, he said.

Tan Sri Musa said the government should meet demonstrators of the
reform movement to find out what they wanted.

He noted a gap between the traditional Malays and modern Malays who
had enjoyed the fruits of economic growth and modernisation -- the
traditional Malays were more humble and obedient and the modern Malays
were more confident and dared to question.

With Umno weakened now, the opposition Pas had grown stronger, he
said.
http://straitstimes.asia1.com/pages/mal17_1116.html

[Yap Yok Foo]

From Daily Telegraph, UK
16th Nov 1998

Malaysian police clash with rioters
By Alex Spillius

RIOT police fired tear-gas and water-cannon at protesters demanding an
end to the 17-year rule of the Malaysian Prime Minister, Mahathir
Mohamad, yesterday as ministers from Asia-Pacific nations met in the
capital.

About 200 protesters shouted anti-government slogans at the foot of
Kuala Lumpur's twin Petronas Towers - the world's tallest buildings -
close to the hotel where the American delegation to the Asia Pacific
Economic Co-operation forum (APEC) is staying.

On Saturday, police fired warning shots over the heads of more than
1,000 demonstrators who had set fire to a police motorcycle and burned
pictures of Dr Mahathir.

The Iraq crisis forced President Clinton to withdraw from APEC'S
two-day summit of 21 regional leaders beginning tomorrow. Madeleine
Albright, Secretary of State, attending the earlier ministerial
meetings, flew home yesterday afternoon after just a day.

She delivered a parting snub to her host, however, meeting the wife of
Anwar Ibrahim, the former finance minister who is now on trial on
corruption and sodomy charges.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk

[Yap Yok Foo]

From Financial Times, UK
16th Nov 1998

Apec human rights call met with hostility
By Peter Montagnon and Sheila McNulty in Kuala Lumpur

Apec's trade liberalisation agenda was further complicated over the
weekend after Canada took a robust stance on human rights and two of
its cabinet ministers had lunch with Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, wife of
Malaysia's jailed former deputy prime minister.

Canada also formally proposed that the Asia-Pacific Economic
Co-operation forum should set up a task force to look at ways of
developing a more civil society in the region.

Lloyd Axworthy, foreign minister, said he had also used a bilateral
meeting with his Malaysian counterpart to express concern over the
trial of the former deputy prime minister, Anwar Ibrahim, on sex and
corruption charges.

The Canadian initiative produced a hostile response from their
Malaysian hosts.

A meeting between Sergio Marchi and Rafidah Aziz, trade ministers, was
cancelled and Mahathir Mohamad, Malaysian prime minister, rejected the
taskforce idea. "If people keep on widening things, then we might end
up becoming another United Nations," he said. "We'll only be able to
talk and do nothing."

Madeleine Albright, US secretary of state, also met Dr Wan Azizah,
saying the US was concerned that her husband receive "due process and
a fair trial".

Canada's move put it in the lead on human rights in Apec and is in
stark contrast to last year's Vancouver summit when the government of
Jean Chrétien, prime minister, was accused of excessive police force
in keeping demonstrators away from former Indonesian President
Suharto.

Canada argues it is impossible to divorce trade liberalisation from
other freedoms. "If we are to build an Apec community, we need to
engage our respective peoples," said Mr Marchi. Ministers also
rejected suggestions that their initiative represented unwarranted
attempt to interfere in Malaysia's domestic affairs.
www.ft.com

[Yap Yok Foo]

From The Singapore BT
16th Nov 1998

Can KL keep capital controls?

Long-term effects not as clear as short-term benefits

HOW long will Malaysia maintain its capital controls? Prime Minister
Mahathir Mohamad is clear enough about this. He has vowed to keep the
capital controls until the international community comes up with a new
regulatory order to contain the activities of currency speculators. Dr
Mahathir said the measures are not likely to be lifted within the next
four years as the international community is not expected to move fast
on this issue. The current Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec)
summit may discuss this contentious theme but is hardly expected to
resolve it.

But can Malaysia afford to maintain its capital controls even if there
is no global consensus to check the excesses of currency speculation?
Can Malaysia cut itself off indefinitely from global financial
markets? More importantly, what are the implications and consequences
of a prolonged system of capital controls?

There are two main objectives of capital controls: To maintain a
stable exchange rate, and to enable the government to pursue an easier
interest rate policy in a bid to jumpstart the ailing economy, mired
in its first recession in over a decade.

To achieve the two goals, the government has declared all ringgit
outside Malaysia to be worthless; restricted the transfer of funds
between external accounts; set a one-year holding period for proceeds
from the sale of equities by foreigners; restricted the amount of
ringgit that can be carried out of the country; and forced the
settlements of imports and exports in foreign currencies.

The measures, if strictly carried out, should have a positive impact
on the economy in the short-term. An environment of low interest rates
will rejuvenate many highly-leveraged companies. The controls will
also give the government a chance to implement structural reforms.

But what are the long-term dangers of capital controls?

First, foreign direct investments (FDIs) into Malaysia will be
retarded if investors find the controls cumbersome, even if there are
no restrictions on repatriating earnings and dividends. In the highly
competitive global race to attract FDIs, a host country cannot afford
to inconvenience foreign investors. There are many other countries
that can offer similar facilities at lower costs.

Second, there is the danger that the government might be tempted to
print more money to avoid the high cost of raising funds overseas to
recapitalise the banking sector and boost other key sectors.

Printing a moderate amount of money may help but there is the risk of
fuelling inflationary pressures in the economy. Even with price
controls, the Consumer Price Index may go up -- at a time when prices
are falling in other countries. Excess money in the system might also
flow into unproductive sectors, like the property sector and the stock
market. The bubble might build up again.

With falling interest rates, the search for higher returns will become
even more acute as depositors will be "dissaving" in an environment of
rising inflation. Fixed deposit rates are expected to fall from the
current average of about 6 per cent, while inflation is expected to
hit 5.2 per cent this year, almost double the pace last year. Both
trends are expected to continue.

Third, the trade surplus may have risen sharply to 32.4 billion
Malaysian ringgit (S$14 billion) in the first eight months -- in
contrast to a deficit of RM2.5 billion in the same 1997 period -- but
it's still early to say if imports will recover and outstrip exports.

So while the controls will give Malaysia a breather to revamp its
economy, the longer-term implications on the economy are still cloudy.
In the meantime, Malaysia will have to get its house in order to face
currency speculators one day, with or without consensus on a new world
order.
http://biztimes.asia1.com/1/viewsmm.html

[Chan PC]

In article <91122477...@wang.pc.my>, mic...@wang.pc.my (michael)
wrote:

> In article <364f0209...@news.jaring.my> shu...@pc.jaring.my writes:
> >
> >the next shot might rip through someone's body...
> >...we hope this will never happen, but situation seems to get
> >increasingly tense in kg baru where mat spanas eagerly await for
> >opportunities to whack cops....
> >hey reformists....take your protest to petaling street for a change...
>

> If we look at the Reuterpic, we can understand why the
> police lifted his revolver/pistol and fired the warning
> shot.
>
> It appears he was being roughed up by the crowd.

Yeah, but don't forget to mention it was precisely these type of undercover
police who roughed up and attacked their fellow demonstrators :) in the past
few weeks.

Would you have let such scumbags who attacked your fellow peaceful
demonstrators repeatedly from within go?
>
> regards,
> michael ... afn2...@afn.org

[MalaysiaBoleh]

Yap Yok Foo wrote:
>
> From The Singapore BT
> 16th Nov 1998
>
> Can KL keep capital controls?
>
> Long-term effects not as clear as short-term benefits
>

Yes malaysia can keep it up . Malaysia Boleh everything Boleh

[Aja]

Beg to differ with your learned account in ballistics.

A 9mm(pistol&machine pistol) bullet will have a muzzel vel of about 500
metres per sec. and the .223(M16) will be about 1000 metres per sec.
Killing range is about 500metres and 3000 metres respextively, on the
horizontal.

If fired overhead, it might kill a bird or hit an aircraft but because
of a 10gm or less projectile, gravity bringing the bullet back down will
not cause anything more than a small bruise if any. Remember terminal
velocity too!

So do not worry about falling bullets.

sac...@pc.jaring.my wrote:
>

> This is a very bad practice indeed. Police (or anyone else for that

> matter) should not fire warning shots, and if they do, they certainly
> should not fire them into the air. The bullets came down again with
> about 90% of their muzzle velocity, base downwards and can land on

[Leonardo]

michael wrote:

> If we look at the Reuterpic, we can understand why the
> police lifted his revolver/pistol and fired the warning
> shot.
>
> It appears he was being roughed up by the crowd.

>> Who to blame lah! I believe they are there to take pictures for possible
follow up on the protestors later, which means the police will rough up those
people who they can identify from their pics. They should know they are
risking their lives this way by acting undercover.

[Leonardo]

What do you mean? Malaysia talking of lifting capital controls in the
near future (possibly in 12 to 18 months time to let the money flow in
again! You prefer boleh keep it up with the capital control ah? That
means tak boleh lift capital control! So it is tak boleh ah :-P

[sac...@pc.jaring.my]

G'day, and begging your pardon

Aja <aj...@pl.jaring.my> wrote:

>Beg to differ with your learned account in ballistics.

>A 9mm(pistol&machine pistol) bullet will have a muzzel vel of about 500
>metres per sec. and the .223(M16) will be about 1000 metres per sec.

Near enough to correct.

>Killing range is about 500metres and 3000 metres respextively, on the
>horizontal.

Completely wrong, You might be thinking about maximum ranges for
volly or group fire. You also need to understand that these bullets
usually hit the head, an extremely vulnerable area. The maximum range
that a rifle bullet has caused a fatality in my experience was 11
miles.

The ranges you cite correspond to the safety template for rifle
ranges. This allows for bullets hitting the mound and being deflected
(richochet). It does not allow for direct fire safety.

The safety range for .22 LR is 2800 m. The safety range for 9mm NATO
is 6000 m. The safety range for SS109 (5.56 NATO) is 10 000 m.

>If fired overhead, it might kill a bird or hit an aircraft but because
>of a 10gm or less projectile, gravity bringing the bullet back down will
>not cause anything more than a small bruise if any. Remember terminal
>velocity too!

Complete rubbish. Terminal velocity is aprox. 90% of muzzle velocity
for a 9mm NATO projectile and aprox. 70% of muzzle velocity for 5.56
NATO. This is because the 9mil projectile is very stable travelling
base first, whilst the SS109 is too long to be stable in such a
regime. M96 retains a somewhat greater proportion of muzzle velocity
(due to its shorter length), but I have not tested that myself.

I would direct your attention to the seminal works on this subject,
written in the 1920's.

I would also direct your attention to Newtons laws of motion. The
muzzle energy exactly corresponds to the energy required for the
projectile to reach its perigee, minus frictional lossess. As the
9mil bullet is completly stable without rotation when travelling base
first, there is actually a reduced frictional load on the descent.

That is to say that kinetic energy is converted to potential energy in
ascent, and then back to kinetic energy in descent, minus frictional
losses.

The energy available to damage an aircraft or bird is of course less
the energy that has been converted into potential energy by ascent,
and hence less likely to be damaged than some hapless soul on the
ground, who will reciever the benefit of a full conversion of potetial
energy to kinetic energy.

>So do not worry about falling bullets.

It is a fallacy to believe that energy converted from kinetic energy
to potential energy simply disappears, it does not.

I don't want to argue from authority, but I do have a fair experience
in the subject, I usually fire several hundred rounds of military
ammuntion a week and I am was trained as a range safety officer.

It is a common misconception that bullets fired in the air magically
become harmless, so don't feel too bad.

I can tell you one thing, I would not stand below a 10 story building
if someone was throwing expended projectiles off it. Would you?

[and...@sprint.ca]

On Mon, 16 Nov 1998 23:06:30 +0800, Leonardo <dav...@pacific.net.sg> wrote:

>What do you mean? Malaysia talking of lifting capital controls in the
>near future (possibly in 12 to 18 months time to let the money flow in
>again! You prefer boleh keep it up with the capital control ah? That
>means tak boleh lift capital control! So it is tak boleh ah :-P

Ha!
Mahathir is already giving exceptions to capital controls to
a few (his buddies)?

In Bolehland everything is possible (just show the money)!

[Zamani Zambri]

No lah. What lah. Madhati already said capital controls will stay until an
international regulating body is formed to keep check on currency trading and
speculation. He added that since the world community is slow to act, we
shouldn't expect any body to be formed within the next 3 years hence capital
control will stay on.

[michael]

In article <72pjbs$p...@news2.jaring.my> paul.s...@online.po.my writes:
[deleted]

>I would also direct your attention to Newtons laws of motion. The
>muzzle energy exactly corresponds to the energy required for the
>projectile to reach its perigee, minus frictional lossess. As the
>9mil bullet is completly stable without rotation when travelling base
>first, there is actually a reduced frictional load on the descent.
>
>That is to say that kinetic energy is converted to potential energy in
>ascent, and then back to kinetic energy in descent, minus frictional
>losses.

If you fire a bullet vertically into the air,
it will begin to fall once it reaches its highest point.
At that point, the bullet has zero velocity.

Terminal velocity is the velocity reached when the gravity on
the bullet equals to the air friction on the bullet.

Would such a free falling object ever reach supersonic speed?

We have to bear in mind that a bullet's muzzle velocity, at 500
metres/sec is probably 3 times the speed of sound. :)

regards,
michael ... afn2...@afn.org

[Shamsul Adzmi Hamzah]

No way Mahat$%r going to lift the capital control now...Where to put
his face one mah?

On Mon, 16 Nov 1998 23:06:30 +0800, Leonardo <dav...@pacific.net.sg>

wrote:

>What do you mean? Malaysia talking of lifting capital controls in the
>near future (possibly in 12 to 18 months time to let the money flow in
>again! You prefer boleh keep it up with the capital control ah? That
>means tak boleh lift capital control! So it is tak boleh ah :-P
>

[Yap Yok Foo]

From Financial Times, UK
17th Nov 1998

FT INTERVIEW: Lee Kuan Yew - Don't expect too much
Singapore's elder statesman tells Peter Montagnon and Sheila McNulty
that Asian values will not be changed either by the crisis or the
policy response to it

The great and the good still flock to see Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore's
former prime minister and now "senior minister", perhaps because he
does not mince his words.

On the eve of this week's Asia-Pacific summit in Kuala Lumpur, Mr Lee
has little consolation for Asia's embattled leaders, or for westerners
wondering when and in what form Asia will emerge from its year-long
crisis.

The summit will not produce any simple solutions to the Asian malaise,
he says. If there were such solutions, they would have appeared
already. Instead, leaders must give heart to populations still facing
a long hard slog. "The key to recovery is to clean out their systems,
win back confidence and get capital to flow back," he says. "Then
interest rates and exchange rates and everything else will fall into
place."

Sitting in his wood-panelled office in the Istana, the palace from
where he governed as prime minister from 1959 to 1990, Mr Lee slaps
his knee with the conviction of a man who knows he is right. His
seemingly frail exterior masks the alertness of a man still bounding
with energy.

Mr Lee warns the west that it would be rash to suppose that the
measures which are called for to deal with the crisis - cleaning up
the banking system, better regulation and an end to cronyism - will
engender quick cultural change.

"Can you expect them to wake up the day after the crisis and say
'we've done wrong, let's be different'? That is not realistic."

Asian bankers will still help a nephew or a cousin get a loan, he
says. "I don't see that stopping altogether. It's been their way of
life, and of government."

What about the general issue of government corruption? In particular,
what about the vexed question of underpaid government officials in
several parts of Asia collecting monies that are not properly
accounted for?

"[Countries] may change over a generation, but not immediately," Mr
Lee says. "Moreover the 'toll collection system' set up by underpaid
government officials has been institutionalised and cannot easily be
dismantled. But they will have a more open system, which foreign
investors and banks may find acceptable." In general, he says, "they
know their excesses will have to stop".

Democratic reforms are not a panacea. Even in Asian countries which
have democracy, voting often involves money, and huge sums change
hands. "Look at the Philippines," Mr Lee explains. "It has democracy
and a free press which are supposed to get rid of corruption, cronyism
and nepotism. But by backing the right candidates with their resources
in the last elections, Mrs [Imelda] Marcos and her children are back
in the political and business limelight. [Former President Ferdinand]
Marcos pillaged the country but the family is back, and the loot has
not been recovered."

Indonesia is also on Mr Lee's mind. The country is emerging from its
economic crisis as a possible security risk, and it is important that
the army is not pushed quickly out of politics, he says. It needs a
government that will restore order and confidence. "For that, they
need elections to produce a government that will have legitimacy with
their people. Only such a government will have the clout to carry
through the tough reforms they need."

Even so, Mr Lee argues for caution. "If they do it in stages and do
not try to have a total change at once, and the army stays in support
of the process, there is a fair chance that they can pull through. But
if they go for immediate and total change, and out with the army, then
there could be trouble. If the army is not in active support of the
government, not an active participant in decisions affecting law and
order, there could be chaos [in Indonesia]," he says. "If you
completely overturn the present set-up, I don't know what will
emerge." Mr Lee says the crisis is bound to add to pressure on
governments to maintain some form of capital controls. Singapore is
not in favour of them but others face different circumstances. "Many
developing countries will conclude that those with some capital
controls, like Taiwan and China, have come off better."

Free capital mobility for developing countries with weak institutions
is not necessarily a plus, Mr Lee argues. The borrowing spree only
started in Thailand and Indonesia after they lifted capital controls
in the early 1990s, and it was made worse because international
lenders were emboldened by the bailout of Mexico's creditors in 1995.

One change which does appear to be in train is a more relaxed attitude
about involvement in the affairs of other countries, long an Asian
taboo which has prevented proper discussion of economic policy at a
regional level.

Thailand and the Philippines have already suggested there should be
more openness. "This is rational and logical and in economic matters
should be acceptable. But in political terms, it's still difficult. We
should not push it too fast because this is a wrenching cultural
change for many leaders," Mr Lee says.

Asean, the Association of Southeast Asian nations, was "shell-shocked"
by the crisis but is far from being a spent force, he says. Its
members still need each other to have a bigger voice in the region.
"But all are dazed at what has happened and have not taken in the
extent of the damage. We have not completely hoisted in the economic,
social and political implications of what has struck us."

He believes Japan has been criticised unfairly for lack of leadership
in the Asian crisis. After all, the country has committed large
amounts of money which China, the region's largest country, was not in
a position to offer. China has made a useful contribution by resisting
the temptation to devalue, but it was unable to provide solutions for
the entire region.

Mr Lee says Japan has not had the clout to impose policies on other
governments. This is still the prerogative of the International
Monetary Fund, with US backing. For Mr Lee, this is a satisfactory
state of affairs, as it is further evidence that no one country can
dominate the region.

"The Americans can play the Japanese card with the Chinese, and the
Chinese card against the Japanese. But Japan and China have no card to
play against the Americans, not unless they can act together, which is
unlikely."
www.ft.com

[Yap Yok Foo]

From The Times, UK
17th Nov 1998

Billionaire financier George Soros says he is not a material man. Jon
Ashworth reports

Soros: the man behind the money

George Soros is one of the great enigmas of our time. He is the
consummate buccaneer, raking in billions of dollars through predatory
assaults on the financial markets, yet he behaves like a pinstriped
Robin Hood, ploughing his wealth into socially inspired causes. He
claims to be able to divine patterns in the markets, but often gets it
embarrassingly wrong. Consumed, or so he says, by self-doubt, he
nevertheless feels confident enough to preach to world leaders about
how to run their affairs.

Soros, 68, is in London next month for The Times/Dillons Forum: a
chance for critics and fans alike to pin him down on the issues of the
day. His new book, The Crisis of Global Capitalism, a timely critique
of the Asian crisis and its implications, will be serialised in The
Times later this month.

Soros leapt into the British psyche in September 1992 when the Bank of
England fought vainly to defend the pound against an assault by
currency speculators. It spent £12 billion shoring up sterling against
the mark before conceding defeat, leaving Britain to tumble out of the
European exchange-rate mechanism. Soros made almost $1 billion (£600
million) from Black Wednesday and became known as the Man Who Broke
the Bank of England. A mere whisper that Soros is buying this or
selling that can trigger a stampede. His utterances can send
currencies sliding or soaring.

Soros's luck has changed of late, but his pronouncements still make
headlines. In August a well-timed letter to the Financial Times sent
Russian financial markets reeling and had a knock-on effect in
Germany. Market analysts think that the Soros funds cannily sold huge
quantities of dollars against the mark, profiting handsomely as the
currency fell.

Born in Budapest in 1930 into a middle-class Jewish family, he
experienced both Naziism and Communism before emigrating to Britain in
1947. At the London School of Economics he fell under the influence of
Karl Popper, the philosopher and author of The Open Society and its
Enemies. Popper's writings gave Soros a conceptual framework in which
to seek out and predict imbalances in world markets. Placing huge bets
on what he thought might happen, and cashing in handsomely when it
went his way, made Soros his fortune. Popper's vision of an open
society - one that tolerates different views and interests - later
shaped Soros's philanthropic activities.

After graduating from the LSE, Soros endured a miserable stint selling
souvenirs in seaside resorts in Wales before joining Singer &
Friedlander, the City merchant bank. He had earlier worked as a
British Rail porter. Lacking the requisite old school tie, Soros found
his ambitions frustrated.

He decamped again in 1956, to New York, and worked on Wall Street for
13 years before branching out on his own. In 1969 he set up Quantum
Fund, registered in Curaçao but run from Manhattan, and began
investing on behalf of wealthy private individuals, scouring the world
for mispriced assets.

Soros's line in global arbitrage was a spectacular success. A $1,000
investment in Quantum in 1969 would be worth more than $3 million
today, despite well-publicised setbacks. Quantum and its sister funds
are worth, perhaps, $18 billion.

By the late 1970s, Soros was rich enough to start thinking about
channelling his wealth into philanthropic ventures. He established his
first foundation, the Open Society Fund, in 1979, and today oversees
non-profit foundations and organisations in 31 countries. His agenda
spans education, publishing and human rights, as well as social, legal
and economic reform.

In Russia Soros distributed $20 million among 40,000 top scientists
and spent millions more on electronic communications and scientific
literature. A Russian foundation, set up in 1987, invested heavily in
educational reform, printing textbooks free of Marxist ideology. In
the United States Soros is channelling money into such social ills as
drug addiction, which he thinks should be treated as a public health
problem, not a crime. He has called for marijuana to be legalised for
medical purposes and has set up a $50 million fund to help immigrants
deprived of welfare benefits.

Soros's homespun brand of philanthropy is not always welcomed by
domestic authorities, however, many of whom consider him a meddler. On
another level he complains that he is not taken seriously, that his
theories are seen as merely the self-indulgent musings of a man who
has made a lot of money on the stock market.

Soros got it right with the pound in 1992, but his approach is hit and
miss. Quantum reputedly lost $600 million in two days when an $8
billion punt on the yen went awry. Soros lost about $650 million in
the October 1987 stock market crash - making him the biggest single
loser - when he shifted out of Tokyo and into Wall Street, just as the
latter caved in. He knew something was coming, but couldn't quite tell
where.

Soros enjoys reading and plays tennis and chess. Married to his second
wife, Suzan, he has five children, and homes in Manhattan and London.
A very private and intellectual man, he endured unwelcome publicity in
Britain in 1991, when a former butler took him to an industrial
tribunal, claiming unfair dismissal. It was alleged that the household
cook was given to chucking £500 bottles of Château-Lafite into the
evening goulash, a smear strenuously denied by Soros's entourage.

They say the financier rarely drinks wine and does not indulge in fine
cooking, except for the benefit of his guests. Soros himself has said:
"I don't have great material needs. I like my comfort but, really, I
am a very abstract person."

Patrick Davison, the aggrieved butler, portrayed Soros as a rather
absent-minded soul who used to set off on journeys, then ring his
office to find out where he was meant to be going. He once had to be
stopped from wandering off to a meeting in his slippers. Parcels used
to turn up from hotels all over Europe containing items Soros had left
behind.

In September 1997, with the Asian crisis erupting, Soros became
embroiled in a public slanging match with Mahathir Mohamad, Malaysia's
Prime Minister. Beset by economic problems, and with Malaysia
literally under a pall from the region's forest fires, Dr Mahathir
launched an attack on "immoral" financial speculators, and described
Soros as a "moron". Soros hit back, describing Dr Mahathir as "a
menace to his country".

Meltdown in Asia, and its toll on world markets, has given Soros deep
cause for concern - hence his critique of the current financial
turmoil. He talks of a "wrecking ball" effect and believes that the
world's entire economic system is under threat. His solution is to
call for restraints on the free movement of capital - ironically, for
one who made his fortune exploiting this very system. Who knows, it
may happen, but for now, there is money to be made, and Soros is not
one to miss out on the fun.
http://www.sunday-times.co.uk

[Maaf]

yes, you all sound very technical to me
but, can we really die if the bullets drop onto our head?
i wonder if the bird's dropping will kill us too, huh?
duh

michael <mic...@wang.pc.my> wrote in article
<91128543...@wang.pc.my>...

[sac...@pc.jaring.my]

Aja <aj...@pl.jaring.my> wrote:

>A 9mm(pistol&machine pistol) bullet will have a muzzel vel of about 500

>metres per sec...
>Killing range is about 500metres... ... on the horizontal.

BTW, it might interest you to know that the standard test for helmets
used by soldiers is that they must defeat a 9mm NATO projectile at
1200 m or equivilant. It actaully takes considerable engineering
skill to meet this target.

[sac...@pc.jaring.my]

G'day,

yf...@pop.jaring.my (Yap Yok Foo) wrote:

>From The Australian
>15th Nov 1998

>Police fire warning shots at Kuala Lumpur rally
>By ALVIN UNG of AP

>KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia: Malaysian police fired warning shots into the
>air late today, triggering a stampede among 2,000 protesters demanding
>an end to Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's 17-year rule.

In the case of the special branch man who was posing as a news
photographer, he was quite justified in what he did. He was being
assaulted and the people bashing him were so close that he had few
options. After firing a shot in the air, he let his feet do the
talking and broke an atheletic record.

For his restraint, he should recieve an award for gallantry.

If he had not performed as he did, he ran a strong risk of losing his
weapon and of suffering the direst consequences in the heat of the
moment. If he had attempted to fire at the ground, he could have only
done so by shooting someone, as his assialants were too close.

Under the duress he was under, it would have been quite fit and proper
for him to use lethal force (though not of course the prefered
option).

[VeryNiceGuy]

Yap Yok Foo wrote:
>
> From The Times, UK
> 17th Nov 1998
>
> Billionaire financier George Soros says he is not a material man. Jon
> Ashworth reports

it's materially a question of a money-mind over matter. a money-minded
man minds money. but if money does not mind, then it does not matter.
if it does not matter, then it is immaterial.

too abstract? never mind. ;-)

.... He

> claims to be able to divine patterns in the markets, but often gets it
> embarrassingly wrong.

it's not how many times you're wrong, it's how much you make when you're
right. (so that you can pay for your mistakes). hee hee ;-)

> Consumed, or so he says, by self-doubt, he
> nevertheless feels confident enough to preach to world leaders about
> how to run their affairs.

it more like self-criticism that separates him from the boys. if you
are your own worst critic, who can shake you? hence the confidence!

...> Soros got it right with the pound in 1992, but his approach is hit

and
> miss. Quantum reputedly lost $600 million in two days when an $8

if his uninspired "hit and miss" method can work, it makes us wonder
about all sorts of "intelligent" analyses, computations, reports about
the markets floating about.

> billion punt on the yen went awry. Soros lost about $650 million in
> the October 1987 stock market crash - making him the biggest single

and of course, those who play with the sword, will get played with by
the sword.

...> call for restraints on the free movement of capital - ironically,

for
> one who made his fortune exploiting this very system.

not that ironical. it's like carrying out a proof by contradiction.
perhaps he has proven by live demonstration that the system does not
work.

[michael]

In article <3650c15...@news.tm.net.my> ad...@tm.net.my writes:
>
>No way Mahat$%r going to lift the capital control now...Where to put
>his face one mah?

[deleted]

If the signs are there that there is more to benefit
from lifting capital control, he will. :)

He did do an about turn on defrosting relationships
with Singapore mah...

regards,
michael ... afn2...@afn.org

[sg...@slip.net]

You mean those things are actually bulletproof? I don't remember
anyone ever having the confidence to tell us that. Does it apply to
the old metal pots with inner liners as well? Or just to the newer
kevlar ones.

[Yap Yok Foo]

From Bangkok Post
18th Nov 1998

Rising labour costs test Singaporean ingenuity Currency devaluations
in crisis-hit countries have slashed their labour costs and the price
of their exports, much to the consternation of Singapore, which is
struggling to compete.
By Suresh Kumar

Singapore is getting too expensive. High labour costs in the past have
been justified by talk of "value-added" services. The common argument
went something like: higher wages give you better productivity.

Now all that is going to change.

Singaporean Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong revealed earlier this month
that the republic was losing its economic competitiveness.

According to his figures, Singapore's share of the US electronics
import market is eroding. In contrast, competitors like Malaysia,
China and Mexico, are increasing their share. The reduction of this
key market is critical to the island's economy. Electronics amounts to
77 percent of the country's manufacturing sector, which is the largest
contributor to gross domestic product.

The government believes that high wages are responsible for the
apparent loss of competitiveness.

Mr Goh revealed that from 1994 to 1997, Singapore's relative unit
labour cost (RULC) had risen by 17 percent. The RULC measures
Singapore's wage levels against regional competitors, taking into
account productivity and exchange rates. This rise is "now
significantly out of line despite... higher productivity levels",
according to Mr Goh.

Another reason for the country's fear of competitive erosion is that
currency depreciation across the region has made other countries more
attractive for investors.

Where would you set up factories if you were an investor? If you paid
your Indonesian worker 2,435 rupiah last July, you can now hire two
more with that same US dollar. For every three workers in Thailand you
now get one free. In Singapore the changing exchange rate will give
you only one "free" worker for every seven you hired.

The Singapore dollar overall is still more than 20 percent higher than
the Malaysian ringgit, Thai baht, Philippine peso and Indonesian
rupiah. Of course, inflation and other factors will temper investment
decisions but the attractiveness of many Southeast Asian or emerging
markets remains nevertheless.

Economists suggest competitive currency depreciation.

This means the government will signal clearly to currency traders that
it will not defend a worsening Singapore dollar. By doing so, it may
induce the market to bring the dollar to a level that is competitive
relative to her neighbours.

However it is clear that such a move would prove disastrous as the
desired position cannot be dictated by governments. Worse, it may
trigger similar behaviour in other economies, thereby eroding any
advantage gained.

Wages thus remain the single target as they make up anything from 29
to 35 percent of business costs. The government thus hopes to lower
salaries commanded by workers.

So far this year, wage restraints are expected to lower incomes by 5
to 8 percent. But the government, which has ordered ministers and
civil servants to take a pay cut as well, feels that more must be
done.

The so-called "nuclear option", or Central Provident Fund (CPF) cut,
is proposed.

The CPF is a compulsory savings scheme for all workers whereby 40
percent of their monthly salaries is put aside for retirement
purposes. Both employer and employee share this contribution equally.

But as the worker is not really paying since the money saved goes to
him when he retires, the 20 percent paid by the employer is now
serving as a financial burden. This employer rate will be reduced by
either 8 or 10 percent.

Mr Goh has urged Singaporeans to bite the bullet and opt for a 10
percent cut. This, he said, would "give a strong and decisive signal
to investors that Singaporeans are prepared to adopt tough measures to
make their business competitive".

When the CPF cut is announced, it will be the final signal that Asia's
currency crisis has entered the house of every Singaporean. In a
country of up to 3.6 million citizens and foreign workers, there are
2.6 million employees with a CPF account.

The CPF began primarily as a savings scheme to help workers save for
their old age, but over the years it has grown into a diversified fund
helping members pay for medical expenses, children's education,
investments and, more significantly, housing.

At least eight out of 10 Singaporeans live in public houses known as
Housing Development Board or HDB flats. These HDB flats are so
expensive that everybody takes a loan of up to 80 percent of the
property value when first purchasing. Members then use their CPF to
service this loan over subsequent years.

Given that 678,248 individuals (Dec 1997) in 731,975 public flats (Mar
1997) use their CPF for such loans, the fear of a CPF cut is
understandable. The biggest concern for Singaporeans is really how
much the reduction will affect the roof over their heads.

It's not just public housing that will feel the brunt. Banks that
provide these loans will also be affected, although opinion is divided
on this.

Also worrying for domestic businessmen is the deterrent effect a CPF
cut would have on consumer behaviour. Many Singaporeans are expected
to cut down on unnecessary expenditure and redirect any savings into
making up for the shortfall in loan servicing as a result of the cut.

The gravity of this cut has prompted the government to reassure
Singaporeans that help will be available. Many expect lower taxes and
a deferred or flexible payment scheme for housing loans.

If wages are cut significantly, Singapore hopes to present a more
attractive labour force.

Productivity aside, the political discipline of workers in the
republic may also prove more appealing for investors weary of strikes
and labour demands that retard their struggle for profits in today's
worsening environment.

Hong Kong's second largest employer, Telecommunications, recently lost
a bid to cut wages by 10 percent as resistance proved too strong. In
South Korea, militant unions cost Hyundai Motors more than $1 billion
(37 billion baht) in lost production three months ago.

The cost cutting message which the Singapore government is advocating
has become all the more crucial now that the economy has shrunk for
the first time since the 1985 recession. Preliminary data shows a 1.5
contraction in the third quarter of 1998.

However it's not just Singapore that is hoping to bite the bullet - so
are all other economies. Those who can stomach the pain better will
surely gain in the end.

* Suresh Kumar watches regional developments and is a broadcast
journalist based in Singapore.
http://www.bangkokpost.net/today/181198_News22.html

[Yap Yok Foo]

From The Singapore Straits Times,
18th Nov 1998

USE OF PRIVATE JETS BY MAHATHIR

KUALA LUMPUR -- Umno members feel insulted each time Prime Minister
Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad travels in private jets belonging to
Chinese businessmen, said the editor-in-chief of the Utusan Malaysia
group.

Writing in his regular column in Mingguan Malaysia on Sunday, Mr
Khalid Mohamed said that Umno members had made an issue out of this,
adding that they had been asking "why the government could not buy its
own jet".

"Apart from the Chinese businessman's jet, people also talk about the
Prime Minister travelling in aircraft belonging to other businessmen,"
he noted.

The editor's comments followed remarks by sacked deputy prime minister
Anwar Ibrahim on Thursday that Dr Mahathir had ordered an executive
jet at a cost of RM200 million.

Dr Mahathir, responding to the charge, explained that the jet belonged
to the government and that the purchase was approved three years ago
when Anwar was the Finance Minister.

Commenting on the issue in his column, Mr Khalid said that Anwar
himself had flown in aircraft owned by Chinese businessmen during his
official duties overseas as deputy premier.

"The use of such jets were paid for by the Prime Minister's
Department. It is not free of charge. However, others see it
differently. They will not believe that such expenses were paid for by
the government," he said.

He noted that at times, the government leased aircraft from MAS or
other companies when the Prime Minister went on official visits
overseas. "The cost is enormous," he added.

The government's executive jet is to be used by the Prime Minister,
his deputy and other heads of state including the royalty.

But when the government had to lease a jet for this purpose, it became
an issue, he said.

Mr Khalid said if Dr Mahathir were to step down after the current Apec
conference, he would not be able to ride on the RM200 million jet.
Similarly, he would also not be able to live in the palatial residence
at Putrajaya.

"Anwar would have been the one relishing all of that," he added.
http://straitstimes.asia1.com/pages/mal2_1118.html

[sac...@pc.jaring.my]

sg...@slip.net wrote:

>On Tue, 17 Nov 1998 05:54:59 GMT, sac...@pc.jaring.my wrote:

>>Aja <aj...@pl.jaring.my> wrote:
>>
>>>A 9mm(pistol&machine pistol) bullet will have a muzzel vel of about 500
>>>metres per sec...
>>>Killing range is about 500metres... ... on the horizontal.
>>
>>BTW, it might interest you to know that the standard test for helmets
>>used by soldiers is that they must defeat a 9mm NATO projectile at
>>1200 m or equivilant. It actaully takes considerable engineering
>>skill to meet this target.
>>Cheers
>You mean those things are actually bulletproof?

no. Consider that the effective range of 9mm ball is 75m, then that
that same round is used at 1200m to test the helmet. It was just
chosen as convienent test method for resistance to fragmentation
munitions ("shrapnel"). Having said that, the current issue US helmet
has defeated 7.62 x 39 from an AKM at 75m, far in excess of its design
requirements. This happened during the US intervention/invasion in/of
Grenada, and the helmet in question is preserved in one of the US
military museums. The soldier survived with a broken neck and made a
full recovery.

> I don't remember
>anyone ever having the confidence to tell us that. Does it apply to
>the old metal pots with inner liners as well?

Yes, but the real world performance of the M1 steel helmet is not
anywhere close to that of the US kevlar one.

> Or just to the newer
>kevlar ones.

I have analysed data from a test of a Malaysian manufactured kevlar
helmet, and it delaminated under the test load and did not pass.
Presumably there was some defect in the resin. One hopes that the
problem was rectified and not covered up some how. For this helmet,
the M1 steel had better ballastic performance, though of course it is
heavier.

Actaully that brings up another matter. Someone needs to pay some
serious attention to improving QA of the materials supplied to the
Malaysian Defence Forces. Whilst QA on weapons systems seems
adeqaute, a lot ot the little things that troops rely on operationally
tend to fall to pieces with little provocation. This causes needless
misery to troops and reduces their effectiveness. Soldiers have
enough difficulties without haveing pieces of equipment that break
easily to cause them further problems.

[kawan]

On Wed, 18 Nov 1998 05:09:15 GMT yf...@pop.jaring.my (Yap Yok Foo)
wrote:

> From The Singapore Straits Times,
> 18th Nov 1998
>
> USE OF PRIVATE JETS BY MAHATHIR
>
> KUALA LUMPUR -- Umno members feel insulted each time Prime Minister
> Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad travels in private jets belonging to
> Chinese businessmen, said the editor-in-chief of the Utusan Malaysia
> group.

1.) The PM already had a jet.
May be too small not shiok enough.
2.) Most of Malaysia's jet owners are UMNO tycoons.
3.) Most of these jets cost around 20 millions each.
Mahathir's jet cost 200mil.
Can anybody name the Chinese tycoon that owns a 200 mil
jet ?
The truth is there is none.
--
Surf Usenet at home, on the road, and by email -- always at Talkway.
http://www.talkway.com

[Fearless]

RMAF has one passenger aircraft always standby for VVIP like Mahathir.
I wondering does he may need to purchase 200 million aircraft to take
him to overseas trips ?

Do we have option to re-purchase one under utilized aircraft from MAS
instead of ordering 200-million luxurious state-of-art of machine from
overseas ?

On Wed, 18 Nov 1998 05:09:15 GMT, yf...@pop.jaring.my (Yap Yok Foo)
wrote:

Rgds,
Fearless

Disclaimer : "Malaysia semua boleh di mana-mana pun boleh !! "

[sg...@slip.net]

On Wed, 18 Nov 1998 05:55:53 GMT, sac...@pc.jaring.my wrote:

>sg...@slip.net wrote:
>
>>On Tue, 17 Nov 1998 05:54:59 GMT, sac...@pc.jaring.my wrote:
>
>>>Aja <aj...@pl.jaring.my> wrote:
>>>
>>>>A 9mm(pistol&machine pistol) bullet will have a muzzel vel of about 500
>>>>metres per sec...
>>>>Killing range is about 500metres... ... on the horizontal.
>>>
>>>BTW, it might interest you to know that the standard test for helmets
>>>used by soldiers is that they must defeat a 9mm NATO projectile at
>>>1200 m or equivilant. It actaully takes considerable engineering
>>>skill to meet this target.
>>>Cheers
>>You mean those things are actually bulletproof?
>no. Consider that the effective range of 9mm ball is 75m, then that
>that same round is used at 1200m to test the helmet. It was just
>chosen as convienent test method for resistance to fragmentation
>munitions ("shrapnel").

Hmm, yes this sounds more likely, and I think in fact was what they
told us. Fragmentation protection only. Just one question though..
How did they manage to hit a helmet at 1200m with a pistol/smg? Or
were they just testing the material and shooting at a larger target?

>> I don't remember
>>anyone ever having the confidence to tell us that. Does it apply to
>>the old metal pots with inner liners as well?
>Yes, but the real world performance of the M1 steel helmet is not
>anywhere close to that of the US kevlar one.
>
>> Or just to the newer
>>kevlar ones.
>I have analysed data from a test of a Malaysian manufactured kevlar
>helmet, and it delaminated under the test load and did not pass.
>Presumably there was some defect in the resin. One hopes that the
>problem was rectified and not covered up some how. For this helmet,
>the M1 steel had better ballastic performance, though of course it is
>heavier.
>

Hey test the S'pore one would you? I'd like to know how serious I
should be about keeping my head down :) One of you guys over there go
and 12-06 him one. They're only like 30 bucks IIRC.

>Actaully that brings up another matter. Someone needs to pay some
>serious attention to improving QA of the materials supplied to the
>Malaysian Defence Forces. Whilst QA on weapons systems seems
>adeqaute, a lot ot the little things that troops rely on operationally
>tend to fall to pieces with little provocation. This causes needless
>misery to troops and reduces their effectiveness. Soldiers have
>enough difficulties without haveing pieces of equipment that break
>easily to cause them further problems

Aparently their aircraft also suffer the same problems. Falling out
of the sky does tend to cause one needless misery and reduce
effectiveness. Their navy doesn't seem to mind though. Defects give
them an excuse to go home early, or pass off onerous tasks to the
non-malaysian ships in the ex. And unlike the RSN, which forces you
to sail back out once the defect is fixed, once those guys go home,
they stay home. (And take the rest of the 2 weeks off).

[Lincoln Yeoh]

On Wed, 18 Nov 1998 15:15:05 GMT, arane...@yahoo.com (Fearless) wrote:
>
>RMAF has one passenger aircraft always standby for VVIP like Mahathir.
>I wondering does he may need to purchase 200 million aircraft to take
>him to overseas trips ?

Hmm. I sure hope it's well maintained and comfortable. And I sure hope it's
not a Nuri :).

We wouldn't want a succession crisis anytime soon right? <grin>.

Link.
****************************
Reply to: @Spam to
lyeoh at @peo...@uu.net
pop.jaring.my @
*******************************

[sac...@pc.jaring.my]

G'day,

sg...@slip.net wrote:

>How did they manage to hit a helmet at 1200m with a pistol/smg? Or
>were they just testing the material and shooting at a larger target?

I used to wonder about that too. <grin> Of course, it is impractical
to do this on a range, it is done at short range on a jig, with the
velocity of the projectile reduced appriopriatly. A chronograph is
used to ensure that the projectile is within the required velocity
limits.

>Hey test the S'pore one would you? I'd like to know how serious I
>should be about keeping my head down :)

Very serious...

>One of you guys over there go
>and 12-06 him one. They're only like 30 bucks IIRC.

It would be fun to have a look at it. I suspect they cost a bit more
than S$30 though.

>Aparently their aircraft also suffer the same problems. Falling out
>of the sky does tend to cause one needless misery and reduce
>effectiveness.

This kind of thing happens to everyone from time to time. In many
ways, the purchase of the MiG-29N would be wise from the maintenance
point of view. The good thing about russian engineering is the
widespread use of LRU's and short but guaranteed service lifes for
components and airframes.

As TUDM do not often make the causes of accidents public, I can only
make the limited comment that the majority of accidents do not appear
to be caused by defects in material or maintenance. TUDM are engaged
in high risk activities, and suffer accordingly.

>Their navy doesn't seem to mind though. Defects give
>them an excuse to go home early, or pass off onerous tasks to the
>non-malaysian ships in the ex. And unlike the RSN, which forces you
>to sail back out once the defect is fixed, once those guys go home,
>they stay home. (And take the rest of the 2 weeks off).

No comment

[nowhereman]

sac...@pc.jaring.my wrote in message <7300e0$3...@news2.jaring.my>...
>G'day,

>
>sg...@slip.net wrote:
>
TUDM are engaged
>in high risk activities, and suffer accordingly.
>

i think flying tok mats MiGs is risk enough. lets face it..what REAL risks
do TUDM take that RSAF does not? flying near the NKorean border? getting
threats of neighbours to shoot you down if you stray into their airspace?
still getting shot at in betong are you? :) i thought the CPM closed own.

IMHO the real reason for the all crashes must be poor maintenance.

[michael]

tIn article <365ae470...@news.jaring.my> arane...@yahoo.com writes:
>
>
>RMAF has one passenger aircraft always standby for VVIP like Mahathir.
>I wondering does he may need to purchase 200 million aircraft to take
>him to overseas trips ?
>

>Do we have option to re-purchase one under utilized aircraft from MAS
>instead of ordering 200-million luxurious state-of-art of machine from
>overseas ?

He was probably thinking Malaysia needed a jet for the
executive. The plane was ordered during good times.

I don't think he was thinking about using the jet himself.
He publicly mentioned retirement in '96. He is no longer young
although his energy betrays his age and can put many of his
contemporaries to shame as far as personal drive is concerned.
He even went on an extended leave in '97, leaving the
country to his deputy.

If the currency crisis hadn't hit, he might not even get the
chance to use the plane which is due for delivery next month.

regards,
michael ... afn2...@afn.org

[Fearless]

Is even worst if he silently using that aircraft after his retirement.
from government's posts. :)))

On Thu, 19 Nov 98 16:37:09 GMT, mic...@wang.pc.my (michael) wrote:

>
>If the currency crisis hadn't hit, he might not even get the
>chance to use the plane which is due for delivery next month.
>
>regards,
>michael ... afn2...@afn.org

[sac...@pc.jaring.my]

G'day,

y...@pc.jaring.my (Pseudonymless) wrote:

>What is the weight of a 7.65mm slug? 10grams, perhaps? (I'm guessing here)
>[Assuming that the slug is cylindro-hemispherical for ease of calculation
Good reasoning. I'll substitute the values for 9mm NATO though.
>(although semiautomatic rifle bullets are more likely to be
>cylindro-conoidal), with a height twice that of its caliber, then the
Pistol Bullets are usually 2 to 3 calibres long, in the shape you
describe. Obsolete high powered rifle bullets were similar shapes
with greater sectional density, modern rifle bullets have an ogival
(spitzer) nose.

>Assuming that the bullet is 100% lead (which it usually isn't, containing
>instead mixtures of lead-antimony or cupronickel or hardened steel) and
>therefore has heaviest mass, then with the density of lead as
>11.3g/1000mm3, then the slug would have a mass of 0.644X11.3 = 7.28grams.]
>All this is plain conjecture, as I've never ever weighed any slugs!
Good reasoning, lets take 9mm ball as 13 g (180 grains).

>The potential energy of the bullet just prior to dropping would be equal to
>its mass multiplied by the height multiples by the acceleration due to
>gravity.
Correct, but 45m is the height we want for a 10 story building and we
use 13 g as the mass.
> For it's mass of 7.28gram at a height of 30m, its potential energy
>would be equivalent to a 300gram billiard cue dropped from a height of
>0.728meter.
So we wind up with 5.7 J, which does not sound like a lot, but is more
than double the value you describe. Now, the problem is, the
comparison is completly invalid.

If you think about it, the force applied to a rifleman is exactly the
same(indeed more) as the force a target recieves from a bullet, but
the bullet causes considerably more mischief than the rifle does. So
velocity and sectional density are important.

5.7 J from 9mm ball is, as it happens, more than enough to penetrate
the average skull at the vertex. The velocity works out as around 110
kmh. Having said that, the bullet will cause much less disruption
travelling at 30ms(-1) than it would at 450 ms(-1), but it is still
one more hole than I consider desirable in my skull.

To put it in a familiar perspective, the current penetration test of
MS-1-1996 for motorcycle helmets is around 10 J on a radius of around
a mm or so (from memory).
>Probably enough to bruise your head, but not likely to penetrate anyone's
>skull, I think :-)
Neglecting frictional losses, 9mm ball might be falling around 12 km.
However, in reality flatter trajectories yeild higher energies as
frictional losses are less. Time of flight is very long, and the
location of impact unpredicatable, with a 95% CEP of around 600m for
bullets fired directly upwards from a fixed weapon in winds less than
1.6 kmh.

So you don't know where it will end up, and it will do you a mischief
if you are under it.

>(Or maybe I've got some calculations wrong?)
I think it is a good piece of reasoning, and the calculations are
logical. The only thing is that results are not as expected, and to
make accurate predications knowledge from practical experiments is
required.

>And nope, I wouldn't want to stand at the bottom of any building where
>anyone is throwing objects off it :-)
Nor I, needless to say.

[Yap Yok Foo]

From The Australian
20 Nov 1998

Pig-headed rule as high farce turns to tragedy
By GREG SHERIDAN

THIS has been an appalling couple of weeks for South-East Asia, and
therefore for Australia. The Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation forum
in Kuala Lumpur was as close to a fiasco as could be imagined.
Rancorous, divisive and almost wholly free of substance, it could not
agree on trade liberalisation and made only token, and heavily
compromised, rhetorical commitments to financial reform.

The Americans, having bloated and distended APEC's membership to the
point of incoherence and fatuity, now cannot even get their foolish
and incontinent President to attend and instead have Al Gore clunking
his way through a region about which he knows nothing.

The region has lost what could have been a magnificently effective
body in APEC. Its future is now in great doubt. In the region's
gravest economic crisis since World War II, APEC has made almost nil
value-added contribution.

But that, dear reader, is more or less the good news. The really bad
news is the blood-letting and subsequent arrests in Indonesia, arising
from protests at the special session of the People's Consultative
Assembly (MPR).

The first and most important lesson is that the Indonesian Army must
find a way to handle large-scale demonstrations without killing
people.

This is not only a question of goodwill but of technical competence.
The South Korean police, for example, became skilled in containing
mass demonstrations in Seoul without anyone getting killed.

This is much harder than it might seem. But for pity's sake, surely
the Government of President B. J. Habibie can work out that if you let
the demonstrators demonstrate, at the end of the day, having made
their point, they get tired and go home and you are still in
government.

The Beijing authorities, hardly the most subtle people in the world
when it comes to political opposition, have worked this out regarding
Hong Kong.

The second lesson is that if Habibie really wants to secure his place
in history he should model himself on former Thai prime minister Anand
Panyarachun. Anand was twice called in as interim prime minister
after, first, a military coup in 1991, and then the dreadful violence
of the riots against the military-led Suchinda government in May 1992.
On both occasions he declared he was not a candidate for long-term
office but performed the crucial task of organising clean elections.

Because of the immense goodwill he earned from this he was able, on
both occasions, to run clean governments which undertook important
reforms. He is now a beloved figure in Thai history.

If President Habibie were a bigger man with a bigger historical
imagination he would commit himself to a similar purely transitional
role. Instead, because he still harbours ambitions, which are almost
certain to be unfulfilled, to be a long-term president, he sacrifices
that potential goodwill.

The student demonstrators, and many other Indonesians, see the Habibie
Government as a modified continuation of the Suharto regime rather
than the clean break with Suharto that Habibie tries to paint himself
as.

Perhaps the greatest long-term political result of the deaths of the
student demonstrators is the loss of political prestige of the armed
forces commander and Defence Minister, General Wiranto.

For all his apparent failure to fully control his forces, Wiranto is
widely regarded as one of the good guys and was shaping up as a
credible administration candidate for president. His loss of authority
could be seriously destabilising, not least for the armed forces
themselves.

Finally, we have to ask some questions of the student demonstrators as
well. In May they laboured mightily to be moderate, responsible and
peaceful in their anti-Suharto protests. They also operated in concert
with senior opposition leaders such as Amien Rais and Megawati
Sukarnoputri.

This time they themselves engaged in some confrontational and
provocative behaviour, and they went far beyond what Rais, Megawati
and other Opposition leaders, who wanted the MPR session to proceed
peacefully, sanctioned.

Was this just youthful exuberance, a loss of discipline and
leadership, frustration at the stalling of reform, or are the students
being manipulated? Such manipulation could come from genuine
revolutionaries, who want to tear down the structures of government,
or conceivably from clandestine military factions wanting to justify a
more heavy-handed security approach.

You can never totally disregard such possibilities in Indonesia and
they are given at least some credibility by the Government's appalling
decision to arrest a range of Opposition figures.

Although the MPR did pass important decrees clearing the way for a
democratic election, the polarisation and violence make it less likely
that Indonesia can negotiate the crucial next 12 months without
further major disturbance.

The forces around President Habibie should recognise that Indonesians
want a total change from the Suharto era. By refusing to organise a
proper succession, and in the early 90s reversing the previous trend
towards liberalisation, Suharto sacrificed the opportunity for this
constellation of forces to manage this historic transition as, say,
the Kuomintang managed a similar transition to democracy in Taiwan.

The solution then to all the woes of recent weeks is simple. APEC
needs skilful and decisive leadership, Habibie needs to commit himself
to leaving office after the next election, Wiranto needs to exercise
much more effective control of his troops, and the student
demonstrators need to behave with greater discipline and moderation.

No problem at all.

Greg Sheridan is The Australian's foreign editor.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/index_world.htm

[Yap Yok Foo]

From Singapore BT
20th Nov 1998

Five KL firms to extend life of warrants to maximum 10 years
YTL Corp, Pilecon Engg among those taking advantage of new securities
rule
By Meera Tharmaratnam in Kuala Lumpur

THREE weeks after the Malaysian Securities Commission extended the
life-span of all stock warrants to 10 years from the current five,
five companies have announced that they will extend their warrants to
the new maximum period allowed.

The five firms are YTL Corp Bhd, YTL Cement Bhd, Multi-Purpose
Holdings Bhd, Tiong Nam Transport Bhd, and Pilecon Engineering Bhd.

YTL Corp said it plans to move the expiry date of its warrants from
Sept 20, 2002, to Sept 20, 2007. The company said that its warrants
are currently trading approximately "at the money".

Pilecon Engineering plans to extend its warrants' expiry date from
July 6, 1999, to July 6, 2004; Tiong Nam from May 10, 1999, to Nov 10,
2004; Multi-Purpose Holdings from Dec 23, 1999, to May 23, 2004, and
YTL Cement from Dec 8, 1999, to Dec 8, 2004. YTL Cement, like Tiong
Nam, has reserved the right not to implement the extension if its
warrants are in-the-money nearing the existing expiry date of its
warrants.

A common explanation offered by some of the companies was that their
action would extend the life of an instrument in the market which may
raise low cost funds for them in future.

All five firms' proposals need approval from the authorities, their
shareholders and warrant holders. Since the bourse's collapse,
Malaysia's securities watchdog has eased various rules. Corporate
restructurings, frozen for a time, are now sanctioned. Sweeteners like
loan stocks can now be attached to rights issues.

Two weeks ago, it approved a two-call rights issue under which the
first call is paid in cash on application by shareholders while the
second call is paid by capitalising the company's reserves.

Typically, firms issue shares at par value or one Malaysian ringgit
each. If shares are issued above par value, the excess goes into the
share premium account. With the shares of many firms now trading below
par value, issuing shares at par value is impossible and issuing them
below par value has the effect of knocking off value from a company's
share premium account, analysts said.

A two-call issue gets around that, and is important because share
premium accounts act as a last-call reserve for companies when they
are hit by losses.

The two-call issue, an analyst said, ensures firms have a buffer to
absorb future losses but also means they will suffer dilution of
earnings per share during a period when earnings are weak.
http://biztimes.asia1.com/5/msima05.html

[Yap Yok Foo]

From Time Magazine
18th Nov 1998

Al Spoils the Party
APEC breaks up with little accomplished. Should Gore have kept his
mouth shut?

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia: The tag has been made; Bill Clinton is off to
Japan, and Al Gore is going home. Back to the bench. But as the
Asian-Pacific Economic Conference broke up Wednesday with almost
nothing resolved in the way of Asian free trade, restarting Japan's
economy, or even that whole currency crisis thing, Asian leaders are
blaming the lost summit on Gore and his big mouth. After loudly
interfering in Malaysian internal affairs by praising protesters --
the "brave people of Malaysia" -- at an economic summit, does the veep
deserve that promotion he's bucking for?

<Picture: Special>"Clinton probably would have left that out of the
speech," says TIME foreign correspondent William Dowell. "You have to
question Gore's diplomatic savvy after he wades into a summit and says
that." Of course, it's quite possible that Gore knew exactly what he
was doing -- risking a foreign-policy flare-up for a nice sop to the
Democrats' less pragmatic, pro-Gephardt wing. Gore's sudden attack of
principles may get him votes in 2000, but Dowell thinks it's cost the
U.S. some much-needed goodwill overseas. "Especially in Asia, subtlety
is very important." Malaysian leaders already call the U.S. the Great
Devil; was it necessary for Gore to act the part?

-- FRANK PELLEGRINI
http://cgi.pathfinder.com/time/daily/0,2960,16009-101981118,00.html

[luke 49]

>A common explanation offered by some of the companies was that their
>action would extend the life of an instrument in the market which may
>raise low cost funds for them in future.
>

The bottom line is they got not money and so want to extend their debt
repayment period. Like taking 8 years to pay for the car instead of 5. The
interest payments alone will screw the minority share holders...... As if
they care huh ?

[Fearless]

On Mon, 16 Nov 1998 23:00:23 -0700, Zamani Zambri
<zza...@scudc.scu.edu> wrote:

>No lah. What lah. Madhati already said capital controls will stay until an
>international regulating body is formed to keep check on currency trading and
>speculation. He added that since the world community is slow to act, we
>shouldn't expect any body to be formed within the next 3 years hence capital
>control will stay on.

Does him still a PM in next three years ?

[Zamani Zambri]

Of course lah. Next term he will be the PM AGAIN! Najib and Dollah will be
disappointed. Sorry guys. Madhati already built himself a Rm150 mil. palace
and bought a new jet, you think he wants to hand it over to Najib or Pak Lah?
Forget it. Do you know what will happen to him once he becomes a nobody or a
has been?